Baton
Rouge,
LA,
December
13,
2024
–(PR.com)– Researchers
provide
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,”
published
in
BMC
Public
Health,
was
led
by
a
multidisciplinary
team
of
researchers
from
the
Reproductive
Endocrinology
&
Women’s
Health
Laboratory
at
Pennington
Biomedical
research
Center,
along
with
colleagues
from
Woman’s
Hospital
and
Tulane
University
School
of
Public
Health
and
Tropical
Medicine.
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,”
said
Dr.
Leanne
Redman,
Associate
Executive
Director
for
Scientific
Education
and
Director
of
the
Reproductive
Endocrinology
&
Women’s
Health
Laboratory.
“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.
“At
Pennington
Biomedical,
we
are
committed
to
advancing
research
that
not
only
deepens
our
understanding
of
health
disparities
but
also
provides
actionable
solutions,”
said
Dr.
John
Kirwan,
Executive
Director
of
Pennington
Biomedical.
“This
study
exemplifies
how
research
can
inform
policy
and
improve
the
health
and
lives
of
vulnerable
populations.”
This
work
was
supported
by
the
National
Institutes
of
Health
(grant
numbers:
K99HD107158,
P20GM144269,
R01
NR017644,
R01
DK124806,
and
U54
GM104940).