Capstones in public health week 1 project
Instructions Topic for Public Health Plan
Supporting Lecture: Review the following lecture: Ten Essential Services of Public Health
During this 10-week course, you will be completing a capstone course paper that involves a comprehensive analysis of a public health problem. You will select a public health problem of importance to your community as your topic.
Each week, you will complete an approximately 750 word (not including title page and references) project that allows you to develop the capstone paper over the course of the class. You will the submit the final, complete capstone paper during week 9 of the course. THIS WEEK, you will identify the PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM that will be the topic of your capstone paper. You will be focusing on this problem in a SPECIFIC POPULATION.
Examples of a public health problem in a specific population: Gun violence in schools; Maternal mortality in women from the southeastern U.S.; Industrial pollution in low-SES neighborhoods; Opioid addiction in rural areas
After you select your topic, create a paper of approximately 750 words, not including title page and references:
Identifying and introducing the public health problem
Identifying and introducing the population of focus (populations based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, immigration status, religious affiliation, etc.)
Providing evidence that this public health problem, in your population of focus, is significant and of concern This project will serve as the INTRODUCTION to your final capstone paper. You are laying the groundwork for an exploration of your topic. You are also convincing the reader that it is an important issue to discuss. Use at least five (5) reputable sources (the text, South University library resources, government websites, peer-reviewed research articles) that you cite in the text and at the end in APA format.
Capstones in Public Health: Week 1 Project
Public Health Problem: Maternal Mortality Among Black Women in the United States
Introduction to the Public Health Problem
Maternal mortality is a critical public health issue in the United States, particularly among Black women. Maternal mortality refers to deaths related to pregnancy or childbirth occurring during pregnancy or within one year postpartum. Although the United States spends more on healthcare than any other high-income nation, it continues to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries. Even more concerning is the significant racial disparity in maternal outcomes, with Black women experiencing disproportionately higher rates of pregnancy-related deaths. This persistent inequity highlights a systemic public health problem that requires focused attention and intervention.
Population of Focus
The population of focus for this public health problem is Black women of reproductive age (1844 years) in the United States, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Black women are affected across all income and education levels; however, those facing economic hardship experience compounded risks due to limited access to quality healthcare, transportation barriers, and structural inequities. Social determinants of health, including housing instability, employment insecurity, and insurance status, further influence maternal outcomes within this population.
Significance of the Problem
Maternal mortality among Black women remains alarmingly high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women. In recent years, maternal mortality rates for Black women have exceeded 69 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to approximately 26 deaths per 100,000 among White women. These disparities persist regardless of education level, indicating that socioeconomic advancement alone does not protect Black women from adverse maternal outcomes.
Common causes of maternal death include cardiovascular conditions, hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and infection. Many of these deaths are considered preventable with timely diagnosis, appropriate care, and effective follow-up. Structural racism, implicit bias within healthcare systems, and fragmented prenatal and postpartum care contribute significantly to these preventable deaths. Black women frequently report feeling unheard or dismissed by healthcare providers, which can delay life-saving interventions.
Public Health Impact
The impact of maternal mortality extends beyond individual women to families and communities. Maternal death increases the risk of adverse outcomes for infants, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality. Children who lose a mother face increased risks of emotional, developmental, and economic instability. At a population level, high maternal mortality undermines trust in healthcare systems and reflects broader inequities in access to care and quality of services.
From a public health perspective, maternal mortality among Black women reflects systemic failures in surveillance, prevention, and care coordination. Despite national initiatives aimed at reducing maternal deaths, progress has been slow, highlighting the need for population-specific strategies that address both clinical and social determinants of health.
Importance to Public Health Practice
Addressing maternal mortality among Black women aligns with the Ten Essential Services of Public Health, particularly monitoring health status, identifying health disparities, and promoting equitable access to care. This issue underscores the need for improved data collection, culturally competent care, expanded access to postpartum services, and community-based interventions. Focusing on this population allows public health professionals to address inequities while strengthening maternal health systems overall.
Conclusion
Maternal mortality among Black women in the United States is a significant and persistent public health problem rooted in systemic inequities and healthcare disparities. The disproportionate burden experienced by this population highlights the urgent need for targeted public health action. By examining maternal mortality through a population-focused lens, this capstone project will explore the underlying causes, public health implications, and opportunities for intervention aimed at reducing preventable deaths and improving maternal health outcomes.
References (APA 7th Edition)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Maternal mortality rates in the United States.
World Health Organization. (2023). Maternal mortality: Key facts.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Birth settings in America.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2022). Racial disparities in maternal mortality.
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). Maternal and infant health disparities.