How Implicit Bias and Structural Racism of African American Women in a Healthcare Setting is Affecting the Maternal Mortality Rate in Georgia
Location
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH)
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Dr. Joanne Chopak-Foss, Faculty Advisor
Abstract
Background: The State of Georgia is currently one of the few states that possess a maternal mortality rate (MMR) at least twice the national average within the United States. Reducing maternal mortality continues to be one of the toughest challenges for stakeholders in the state. The continual presence of implicit bias and structural racism among maternal care providers is an unacknowledged factor. The purpose of this project is to explore how implicit bias and structural racism within the maternity healthcare setting is contributing to increased maternal mortality rates among African American women in the State of Georgia.
Methods: This systematic review of related literature was conducted utilizing previous studies and CDC surveillance databases to identify the presence of structural racism and implicit bias towards African American women in healthcare settings with special attention to their effect towards maternal mortality and prenatal care.
Conclusion: The results illustrated how the presence of structural racism and implicit bias had a strong association with increased maternal mortality among African American women in Georgia. The results supported the importance of including anti-implicit bias interventions for medical students and maternal healthcare providers to limit future effects.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
King, Kendrick, "How Implicit Bias and Structural Racism of African American Women in a Healthcare Setting is Affecting the Maternal Mortality Rate in Georgia" (2021). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 28.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2021/2021/28
How Implicit Bias and Structural Racism of African American Women in a Healthcare Setting is Affecting the Maternal Mortality Rate in Georgia
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH)
Background: The State of Georgia is currently one of the few states that possess a maternal mortality rate (MMR) at least twice the national average within the United States. Reducing maternal mortality continues to be one of the toughest challenges for stakeholders in the state. The continual presence of implicit bias and structural racism among maternal care providers is an unacknowledged factor. The purpose of this project is to explore how implicit bias and structural racism within the maternity healthcare setting is contributing to increased maternal mortality rates among African American women in the State of Georgia.
Methods: This systematic review of related literature was conducted utilizing previous studies and CDC surveillance databases to identify the presence of structural racism and implicit bias towards African American women in healthcare settings with special attention to their effect towards maternal mortality and prenatal care.
Conclusion: The results illustrated how the presence of structural racism and implicit bias had a strong association with increased maternal mortality among African American women in Georgia. The results supported the importance of including anti-implicit bias interventions for medical students and maternal healthcare providers to limit future effects.
