Instructions: Leadership Issue Paper (30% of course grade) Submit in Sakai by 2000 on Friday, 2/19/2021 (Week 7) Instructions: Identify a current issue in healthcare, in which nurses have a key role, which interests you and which has systems-level policy, practice, ethical, and economic implications. Explore and analyze the topic at a systems level and from a nursing leadership perspective in a 6 to 8 page paper (not including title page and references). Your paper should emphasize the relevance of this issue for RN-level nurses; advanced practice nursing may be discussed but should not be the main focus of your paper. See the Grading Rubric 412A Wi 21 Leadership Issue Paper Instructions and Rubric for more details about the expectations of this assignment. [Faculty: access Word version of rubric here] You choose the topic, but be sure it is one that you are interested in and meets the grading criteria. Consult with course faculty about your topic ideas. Here are some potent
Why Black Women Are At High Risk of Dying From Pregnancy Complications
Black women are subjected to disproportionate maternal health outcomes leading to high death rates related to pregnancy complications. Health system and societal factors contribute to maternal mortality and poor health outcomes among African American women. These women are more likely to experience racial discrimination and other barriers while accessing health care services (Taylor et al., 2019). Structural racism in social service and healthcare delivery results in African American women accessing poor care quality than their white counterparts. Additionally, they are not treated with respect and dignity and are denied necessary care when in pain. Institutional racism places black women at high risk of dying from pregnancy complications.
Background of the Issue
The United States considers high maternal mortality rates a significant public health issue. Although the government has channeled adequate resources to improve hospital-based maternity care, United States is ranked among the worst industrialized nations for pregnancy-related mortality rates (Madeline, 2020). However, from a global perspective, the country’s maternal mortality rates are low but are increasing rapidly among African American women. These women face disparity in accessing maternal care resulting in poor health outcomes. Historically, African American populations have been denied opportunities for quality and safe care. As a result, African American women receive reduced healthcare quality and are given less attention while accessing care. The inequality is prevalent among pregnant African American women who are four times likely to succumb to pregnancy-related complications (CDC, 2019). Healthcare disparities contribute to poor quality of care and pregnancy-related complications among African American pregnant women.
System barriers, including sexism and racism, contribute to income inequality and poor health outcomes among African American women. According to the National Partnership for Women & Families (2018), Black women’s median wages are $36,227 annually. The amount is $21,698 less than white, non-Hispanic men’s median wages. Because of these income differences, African American Women and their dependents have inadequate finances to support their households. Additionally, they are forced to choose between healthcare, food, childcare, and housing because of their inadequate income. Thus, African Americans’ poor economic status affects their use of healthcare services and health outcomes.
Limited access to insurance coverage undermines African American women’s access to quality and safe care. According to National Partnership for Women & Families (2018), African American women are underinsured because of their socioeconomic status. These financial barriers limit African Americans’ access to necessary care, including prenatal care. Consequently, African American women suffer from preventable chronic health illnesses and medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. These health conditions affect pregnant women‘s health outcomes. Lack of adequate finances causes African American women to remain underinsured and suffer from preventable medical conditions that influence their pregnancy outcomes.
Risk Factors Contributing to Black Women Disparity in Healthcare
Pregnant black women are exposed to multiple risk factors like low socioeconomic status, poverty, poor physical health, and restricted to prenatal care access. According to American progress, these disparities emerge from African American’s women gender and racial discrimination in their lives. The disparities are as described:
Socioeconomic and Poverty Status
Despite controlling socio-economic status and education, black women are still at increased risk for infant and maternal mortality. Also, after controlling for health status, maternal age, and gestational age, the likelihood of dying from delivery or pregnancy complications are three times higher than non-Hispanic women(Novoa & Taylor, 2018). The authors also indicate that college-educated black women are likely to lose their babies than non-Hispanic white peers with the same level of education. These analyses suggest that both educated and non-educated African American women face disparities in accessing healthcare services. Black women, whether educated or undereducated are undervalued by the healthcare system. They are not monitored as their white counterparts. According to American Heart Association News (2019), healthcare workers tend to dismiss African American women’s symptoms, as in Serena Williams’