Maternal Healthcare Disparities and the Role of the Pharmacist

The socio-political events of the last few weeks have left many women in this country wondering what is going to happen to their reproductive rights. In a system that is already broken, where many patients fall through the cracks, it can be worrying as to how much access to good and reliable healthcare we will have moving forward. 

While this is a long-standing, complex topic and one where there is no quick fix, it is one worth addressing and bringing to the forefront. 

Maternal health refers to the health of women during the prenatal, pregnancy and post-partum periods, with the primary purpose of maternal healthcare to improve the health and outcomes of those patients. In the United States, a shortage of primary care providers, as well as financial, socio-economic, educational, and racial disparities contribute to this epidemic. 

In the United States alone, around 11% of women are uninsured, with many more underinsured. More mothers die from pregnancy related causes in the U.S. than any other developed nation, with many women not able to access routine and/or preventative health care.

It is also known that Black/African American women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, with studies showing that Black women have a 3 to 4 times higher risk of dying from pregnancy related complications than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts, specifically from pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, placenta-previa, and postpartum hemorrhage (Link: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacists-are-in-key-positions-to-tackle-black-maternal-mortality-disparities). Native American women are also 4.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy than white, non-Hispanic women.

It is also worthwhile to mention that members of the LGBTQ+ community also face discrimination and barriers to health care, with 8%-29% being denied service outright because of perceived or actual sexual/gender orientation. LGBTQ+ individuals who are pregnant or want to become pregnant also face worse pregnancy outcomes than heterosexual patients.

These statistics are not only cause for concern, but are a public health and human rights emergency, with many of these deaths being preventable.

Pharmacists can help address patient concerns and educate patients on managing chronic conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, mental health issues, etc.), as well as identifying warning signs that require emergent medical attention. They can also conduct continuous evaluation of treatment ensuring safe medication use pre and post-partum, as well as whether a mother requires additional counsel for health concerns that may not be taken seriously by other providers. They can also be an invaluable resource for immunizations during pregnancy, as well as the drug experts for lactation, educating patients and providers on which medications are safe to use during breast feeding. Pharmacists are also a great resource for contraceptive care, with some states allowing for the prescribing of birth control as dictated by their boards of pharmacy.

As pharmacists, we are the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals, and we are in the perfect position to help. Here at KidRx, we recognize these issues are multi-faceted and complex, with much work required to unravel internal issues within the system, such as taking women’s health concerns seriously, the addressing of stereotyping, implicit and unconscious bias, etc. However, we believe a healthy society is one that cares for its most vulnerable, and together with your healthcare providers, we can help make a dent in these numbers, providing our patients with quality, evidence based care whenever and wherever they need it.

We are your partners in health and wellbeing, and we are here for you. Reach out to us today to see how a pharmacist can help you achieve your best health!