Denise Vazquez
Research Mentor(s): Cecilia Martinez Torteya
Mentor Department: Psychiatry
Authors: Denise Vazquez, Keaton Reese, Cecilia Martinez Torteya
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 91
Abstract
Maternal mortality remains a critical public health issue in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control reporting that Black women face a maternal death rate 2.6 times higher than that of non-Hispanic White women. This alarming disparity highlights the systemic inequalities within the American healthcare system and the urgent need for interventions that address this issue. To better understand what interventions are needed, we conducted qualitative interviews with about 100 individuals who had recently given birth about their experiences throughout pregnancy, including the birthing and postpartum process. Interviews were then systematically coded to identify patterns related to the quality of care they received. We will examine interview responses separately for White women and women of color, to compare the experiences the mothers described. For example, in preliminary analyses, Black mothers appear to comment on their mental health problems more frequently. These insights will be used to create a protocol to improve the perinatal healthcare experiences of women of color, including recommendations for healthcare providers and local health systems. By addressing these systemic inequalities, our research contributes to the ongoing effort to achieve equitable maternal healthcare outcomes regardless of race.
