Researchers have provided vital insights into social determinants such as government support, stable housing, and employment opportunities on postpartum health among Louisiana mothers during stressful periods including COVID-19, hurricanes, and the infant formula shortage. The study, “The role of government assistance, housing, and employment on postpartum maternal health across income and race: a mixed methods study,” was published in BMC Public Health.
Researchers led by Leanne Redman, PhD, associate executive director for Scientific Education and director of the Reproductive Endocrinology & Women’s Health Laboratory, point out that the first 1,000 days of life – pregnancy to 24 months – are a critical time for both the mother’s and the child’s physical and mental health. “For birthing individuals, depression during the perinatal period is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality, including pregnancy complications,” the authors write. “For the infant, maternal postpartum anxiety and depression may lead to difficulties breastfeeding in the short term, and negatively impact infant growth and development in the long term. These impacts necessitate supporting birthing individuals for immediate and lasting benefit.”
On top of that, the authors continue, large-scale stressful events like a pandemic or natural disaster may further impact mental health, and ability to care for people to care for their newborns. They write that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression, especially in prenatal individuals. The authors also point to other stressors including employment disruptions and income loss. “COVID-19 hardships may have been amplified by a coinciding shortage of infant formula and local natural disasters (i.e., Hurricanes Laura [2020] and Ida [2021]); these hardships may have especially impacted individuals with low-income and people of color, including Black individuals, who are already at risk for mental health problems and adverse pregnancy outcomes,” the authors write.
“Ultimately, nimble government assistance packages, stable housing, and varied employment and childcare options to reduce employment-related stress are needed to support pregnant individuals during natural disasters. Multi-level supports and social policies are required to reduce adverse macrosystem factors, and racial disparities, to ultimately improve maternal mental health for long-term benefit.”
The study sheds light on the disparities that disproportionately affect lower-income and minority mothers. It underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to improve maternal health equity and strengthen postpartum care.
“The postpartum period is a critical time for both mothers and their infants,” Redman says. “This study demonstrates the profound impact that social support systems and economic stability have on maternal health outcomes after birth. By addressing these factors, we can make meaningful strides toward reducing health disparities and improving the well-being of families across our nation.”
The study utilized a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of postpartum health challenges. Key findings include:
- Access to government assistance programs positively influenced maternal health outcomes, particularly among low-income families.
- Stable housing was identified as a crucial factor in reducing stress and fostering recovery during the postpartum period.
- Employment stability and supportive workplace policies significantly contributed to improved health outcomes and mental well-being for postpartum mothers.
The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to collaborate on initiatives that ensure equitable access to resources for all mothers, regardless of income or race.
“Black and low-income birthing individuals experienced a different COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mental health outcomes relative to White and high-income counterparts,” the authors conclude. “Postpartum individuals’ employment-related stress was related to poor mental health, and related to receipt of government assistance, housing changes, and employment disruptions. Ultimately, nimble government assistance packages, stable housing, and varied employment and childcare options to reduce employment-related stress are needed to support pregnant individuals during natural disasters. Multi-level supports and social policies are required to reduce adverse macrosystem factors, and racial disparities, to ultimately improve maternal mental health for long-term benefit.”
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