Keywords

maternal health; pregnancy; social determinants of health; healthcare; patient-provider communication; patient-provider discussions

Abstract

Poor maternal health outcomes among racially and socioeconomically marginalized populations are a major public health concern in the United States. Effective clinician discussions during prenatal and postpartum care play an essential role in promoting maternal and infant well-being. However, the content of provider-patient discussions in maternal care and how it varies for patients exposed to different social determinants of health has not yet been well explored. This study aims to examine whether healthcare provider discussions about key maternal health topics, including preventative health tips, risk factors, and available resources, differ based on social factors such as income level and race. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from Phase 8 of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Chi-square tests of independence were conducted to identify any associations between social determinants of health (maternal race and income level) and whether providers discussed certain topics during maternity care. Bonferroni post-hoc column proportion z-tests were performed to determine which specific categories within income and racial groups differed significantly from each other. The findings revealed that lower-income and racial minority groups were significantly less likely to report receiving preventative healthcare discussions and more likely to receive discussions on behavioral and psychosocial risk factors, while higher-income and non-minority groups had the opposite experience. By identifying where these gaps in maternal care occur, this research contributes to the development of more equitable care.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Donley, Amy

College

College of Sciences

Department

Department of Sociology

Thesis Discipline

Medical Sociology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright