Introduction
The influence of social determinants of health on maternal and child health outcomes is significant. Social determinants of health encompass a broad spectrum of factors, including but not limited to socioeconomic status, employment, education, housing, healthcare access, and social support systems, and they pertain to the circumstances in which individuals are born, raised, reside, labor, and age. Thinking about how society and people's lives affect healthcare is really important for making sure healthcare does a better job of preventing diseases, helping people when they are sick, and making sure they get better. Social factors, like where one lives and how much money one has, can make a big difference in how healthcare is given and how well it works.
How Do Social Determinants of Health Impact Maternal and Child Health?
While maternal mortality rates have decreased worldwide, they persist at elevated levels in numerous low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in nations like India. The issue of maternal health remains a prominent public health concern in these regions. Maternal health encompasses the well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Health inequities are discrepancies in access to healthcare services and health outcomes that are considered both avoidable and unjust, often resulting from unfair structural and social factors.
These inequities are broadly classified into structural and intermediary determinants. Collectively, these two are named as the social determinants of health. Structural determinants contribute to the hierarchy based on social status in accessing healthcare, which in turn contributes to health inequities. Factors that differentiate individuals based on socioeconomic status include gender, class, race, ethnicity, education, income, occupation, and others. The intermediary determinants comprise factors at the individual level that directly contribute to health outcomes. These encompass psychosocial scenarios, material circumstances, behavior, biological factors, etc., within the healthcare system and the community. Together, these intermediary determinants play a pivotal role in shaping the health of an individual.
What Are the Factors Impacting Maternal and Child Health?
It is essential to address these social determinants of health to enhance maternal and child health outcomes. Implementing interventions and policies designed to mitigate disparities in healthcare access, income, education, and social support can exert a positive influence on the welfare of both mothers and children. This, in turn, can result in healthier pregnancies, enhanced child development, and overall improved health outcomes. Following are the determinants that impact the well-being of mothers and children and how these affect their health outcomes:
1. Socioeconomic Status: Maternal and child health outcomes are often associated with lower socioeconomic status. Families that are facing financial constraints may encounter difficulties in obtaining high-quality healthcare, ensuring adequate nutrition, and securing safe housing, all of which are essential for the well-being of both mothers and children.
2. Education: There is a strong association between child health and maternal education. Education for pregnant mothers can help in making more informed decisions that can result in healthier pregnancy outcomes. It can also help them provide better care for their children.
3. Healthcare Access: Restricted access to healthcare services, including prenatal and pediatric care, resulting in unfavorable effects on the health of the mother and the baby. This limited access may stem from factors like geographic location, insurance status, and challenges related to transportation.
4. Nutrition: Sufficient nutrition is important in promoting healthy pregnancies and the development of the child optimally. Food insecurity, a more prevalent issue among women with lower socioeconomic status, can lead to inadequate nutrition, which can adversely affect maternal and child health.
5. Housing and Environment: Maternal and child health can be compromised by living in unsafe or overcrowded living conditions, resulting in an increased risk of respiratory infections and illnesses. Furthermore, exposure to environmental toxins can cause deterioration of health in both children and mothers.
6. Social Support: Strong social support networks can have a positive impact on the health of the mother and the baby. Conversely, a lack of support, comprising both practical and emotional support, can result in heightened stress levels and inferior maternal and child health outcomes.
7. Community and Neighborhood Factors: Overall maternal and child health can be moderated based on the quality of community and neighborhood, which encompasses the safety of streets, availability of parks, and recreational facilities access as they can impact the physical activity of the individuals.
8. Racial and Ethnic Disparities: Maternal and child health outcomes for minority populations is frequently impaired by the disparities resulting from systemic inequalities such as discrimination, socioeconomic disadvantages, and restricted healthcare access.
9. Cultural Factors: Cultural factors like beliefs and practices can affect the health outcomes of both mother and baby by shaping decisions pertaining to nutrition, healthcare, and child-rearing practices.
What Is the Association Between Maternal Mortality and Social Determinants of Health?
Looking at the health of mothers is a clear example of how considering social factors can help different parts of society work together to make progress on a specific health problem. Also, when studying the health of mothers, it is evident that too many mothers are still dying, even though there is some progress. These deaths are not spread out evenly around the world or within countries, and some places are much worse off than others.
Maternal mortality serves as an indicator of a nation's overall health and well-being. Over a decade ago, the World Health Organization initiated its SDOH (Commission on the Social Determinants of Health) to promote a worldwide effort to address the circumstances in which individuals are born, raised, live, work, and age. Since then, extensive research has continuously highlighted the substantial influence of SDOH in driving health disparities within populations. Regrettably, the term "social determinants of health" has suffered from misuse and a lack of proper context within healthcare systems, resulting in its diminished significance. Consequently, significant social disparities in health and clinical outcomes persist.
Conclusion
Recognizing the underlying reasons behind maternal mortality, addressing contributing factors driving its rise, and eradicating the unequal impact on families are critical imperatives for the future of this world. The significant economic burdens associated with maternal morbidity and mortality may serve as a compelling rationale for action, even for those who may not be solely motivated by population health improvement and equity.
