Maternal And Child Health : A Part Of The Health Resources And Services Administration ( Hrsa )

The first problem that needs to be addressed is simply the lack of access for women in vulnerable populations to prenatal care. This is a major problem because we see that the rate of women who

Death and illnesses among women, infant, and child are preventable. In pregnancy, existing health risks can distinguish or prevent any future health problems for women and their children. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2016), some high-risk factors that may consider are the following: hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, depression, genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, tobacco and alcohol abuse, inadequate nutrition and unhealthy weight. By having this government Healthy 2020 initiative, factors that can affect the pregnancy and childbirth such as poverty,

How socio-economic disadvantaged moms, results in their inability to good communication and less support systems in their environment, therefore reducing access to prenatal health care. Low education levels creates a barrier to accessibility of prenatal information and education, therefore, hampering mother's knowledge for good prenatal care.

Maternal mortality represents more than the loss of lives for individual women, as it also reflects the larger value and prioritization of women 's health and threatens the health and survival of families, young children, and even the communities in which they live (Royston and Armstrong, 1989). Maternal mortality is unacceptably high (WHO, 2015b). Globally, approximately 830 women die every day from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications (ibid.). The causes of maternal mortality are predominately preventable and can be classified into three fundamental causes: (1) medical - consisting of direct medical problems and pre-existent/coexistent medical problems that are aggravated by pregnancy, (2) underlying - social and legal conditions, and (3) health systems laws and policies that address availability, accessibility, and quality of reproductive health services (PHP et al, 2011).

Also, for reasons that are still being investigated in public health, poorer pregnant women are much more likely to be diagnosed with labor-inducing bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis or chorioamnionitis (inflammation of the fetal membrane) (Allsworth & Peipert, 2007; Dammann, Leviton, & Allred, 2000). In a study sample of over 3,700 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was higher in pregnant women who were living at (34%) or below (37%) the federal poverty level compared to those who were living above it (24%) (Allsworth & Peipert, 2007). Additionally, pregnant women in lower SES communities have been found to suffer from more chronic healthcare care conditions such as hypertension and diabetes which are highly associated with preterm birth and small gestational size (Nagahawatte & Goldenberg,

This research consisted of key informants and general informants. These general informants were leaders in the community, granny midwives and African American and European American health care professionals. These general informants came from the clinics and hospitals where key informants were from. The key informants from each region were women who were either pregnant or had a baby within in a year preceding the study. (Marjorie Morgan, 1996)

The philosophy of welfare during the 1900's was welfare provides a way for mothers to stay home and raise their children. It is okay if that process takes many years. During this time there were many unemployed and receiving services. However there were many changes to the welfare reform. The National Mental Health Act of 1946 was created to address preventative measures. In early 1960' s President Kennedy renewed government's commitment to serving the needy. President Lyndon Johnson declared "War on Poverty" after Michael Harrington and others discovered The Other America,specific groups of people who had not benefited from the general post war prosperity. War on Poverty resulted in a number of programs that are still important today;Community Action, Head Start, Employment and training programs, Medicare/Medicaid, and Food Stamps. President Kennedy and Johnson chose to focus on the problems of mental health and mental retardation. The Community Mental Health Centers act of 1963 was established to provide services to the population, including inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, assistance to courts and services for the mental health of children and the elderly.(History of Helping: Content Guide.H.) The "Republican Shift").

This study began in 1991 when researchers visited hospitals shortly after the participants were born. Ten locations were visited. During a span of 24 hours these women

In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services works tirelessly in order to improve the conditions for newborn infants. Their goal is to provide essential human services, as well as protect the health for all Americans. Specifically, the area of infant health focuses on the period of rapid development from birth to one year age. The factors that contribute to infant health is not only attributed to the child, but also extends to the health of the mother and their family support system as well. This area of healthcare is extremely important because it ensures the future health of the next generation. Infant health has many external factors, such as social, economic, and biological, that influence the well-being of the

During the mid and late 1960’s in United States, women, especially low-income women, had more children than they preferred. Research attributed this rise to the lack of access to contraceptives especially in lower income families leading to the difference in the economic affordability of women to have more children than desired. Evidence also showed unintended pregnancies or closely spaced pregnancies to pose adverse maternal and child health outcomes such as delayed prenatal care, premature births, and unfavorable mental and physical health effects on children. Additionally, unintended pregnancies, especially among teenagers, led to more poverty, increased dependence on publically funded services, incomplete education, and decreased ability

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau strategic plan during the years of 2003-2007 developed training for the preparation of national leadership for Maternal and Child Health field and develop ways to improve the overall health of the maternal and child health population. How the bureau planned to achieve that was by strengthen the Maternal and Child Health knowledge and support scholarship within the field by proving graduate education to develop interdisciplinary public health leaders nationwide. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau invested in innovative training and education programs to produce more qualified leaders according to a set of guidelines on the national level (Dodds, et al., 2010). To stay up to date in the field there must be an advancement of the methods of successful training programs in regards to key stakeholders. An example of this type of training would be the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Training Consortium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which was developed to produce interdisciplinary Maternal and Child Health leaders nationwide.

This is a state and federal program whose objective is to better the health of women, children, youth, and entire families and communities, while paying emphases on health inequities and the systems and policies that contribute to family health (Handler, 2015). This program focuses on issues which affect women of child bearing age, children, adolescents, as well children with special health care needs (Handler, 2015). Maternal and Child programs work to address health promotion issues across the lifespan of individuals and families. It is noted that if emphasis on proper health care is placed on preconception, pregnancy and early childhood, the nation is along a path for lifelong wellness. These include preventive health care and prenatal health practices to help mothers find appreciate care during pregnancy. This care can include health practices before, during and after pregnancy, improvement in diet, cessation from alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances. This program also improves and provides health awareness of specific child development milestones and behaviors, as well as economic self- sufficiency programs among women (Fraser. 2012). Good structuring of public maternal and child programs can preserve, protect and promote children’s health and well-being and build a foundation for lifelong health and learning.

In 2013, 289 000 women died during pregnancy and childbirth and it was estimated that everyday 800 women all over the world died from childbirth or childbirth-related problems (World Health Organization, 2014). Often, maternal mortality is found to occur more often in developing countries than developed countries. Maternal mortality refers women who died from the situation like during pregnancy, termination of pregnancy within 42 days, regardless of duration and place of pregnancy, from aggravation caused by the pregnancy or pregnancy management (Nwagha et al, 2010). Maternal mortality may be resulted from direct or indirect cause. Direct causes are from obstetric complications of pregnancy, labour, and puerperium, and interventions whereas indirect causes are from the worsening of current conditions by pregnancy or delivery (Givewell, 2009). This paper aims to examine the causes for maternal mortality in both developed and developing countries and will end with a proposal for government to ensure women are given reproductive health rights.

Prenatal care is widely accepted as an important element in improving pregnancy outcome. (Gorrie, McKinney, Murray, 1998). Prenatal care is defined as care of a pregnant woman during the time in the maternity cycle that begins with conception and ends with the onset of labor. A medical, surgical, gynecologic, obstretic, social and family history is taken (Mosby's Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary, 1998). It is important for a pregnant woman as well as our society to know that everything that you do has an effect on your baby. Because so many women opt not to receive the benefits of prenatal care, our society sees the ramification, which include a variety of complications primarily

From taking this class, I have gained significant understanding of biological determinants of women’s health. Learning about the number of unique biological risks women face is important to understand for me because I am a woman and this risks are likely to pertain to me as well. One of topic of biological aspect of women’s health we covered in class were risks factors associated with pregnancy, its complication and pregnancy itself. Understanding about maternal death and number of causes such as hemorrhage, sepsis, hypertensive, and abortion