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Volume 3
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Issue 2

Improving African American Maternal Health

By:
Kwasheba
Harriott
Improving African American Maternal Health Abstract Background: The maternal health of African American mothers in the United States is in crisis, with a long history of racial disparities as a major contributing factor. African American mothers are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to their white counterparts and women from all other ethnic categories. In 2022, the maternal mortality rate for African American women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 19 deaths per 100,00 live births for Caucasian women. Despite overall improvements in maternal health outcomes, African American mothers continue to experience inadequate prenatal care, continuous stress, and poor socioeconomic conditions. These challenges are a direct result of systemic barriers leading to adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Main objective: To describe the social determinants contributing to the poor maternal health outcome for African American mothers. Methods: A novel qualitative study surveyed 21 African American mothers at a maternal health facility, exploring their maternal health journeys and attempting to understand the link between their experiences and poor maternal health outcomes. Key findings: (1) Lack of confidence in prenatal care; (2) Lack of communication; (3) Reservation participating in research due to historic cultural mistrust; (4) Lack of confidence in medical team. Conclusion The findings underscore the need for additional research with a larger participant pool to further explore the impact on maternal health. To address this crisis, it is imperative that future research incorporates the lived experiences and personal stories of African American mothers to inform more effective interventions and improve outcomes.
Published:
August 1, 2024
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Dr. Frank M. Valier, a Distinguished Professor and  IBM-AI certified professional, brings exceptional leadership to healthcare education as the publisher and editor of the prestigious "Journal of Healthcare Administration and Policy." Throughout his distinguished 25-year career, he has demonstrated excellence in administration, graduate-level teaching, scholarly research, and academic publication.

At Charter Oak State College in New Britain, Connecticut, Dr. Valier serves as the lead faculty instructor where he has revolutionized the Master of Healthcare Administration program through his development and instruction of its cornerstone Capstone course. His innovative teaching methods and curriculum design reflect his deep understanding of both healthcare administration and information technology.

Dr. Valier earned his Doctor of Business Administration in Information Technology Management from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Flordia specializing in Health Information Systems. His groundbreaking dissertation, "A Primary Study of the Perception of Characteristics of Innovation during Pre-Diffusion Stage," earned recognition from the Association of Information Systems with a Best Paper Award nomination. This seminal work, published in the "Journal of International Technology and Information," demonstrates his significant contributions to understanding technology adoption in healthcare settings.

As an educator, Dr. Valier exemplifies the transformative power of engaged teaching. His approach combines rigorous academic standards with genuine enthusiasm for student success, creating an environment where complex healthcare concepts become accessible and meaningful. Students consistently praise his ability to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, a skill that aligns perfectly with Charter Oak State College's mission of providing relevant, career-focused education.

Contact Information:

Dr. Frank Marshall Valier

Healthcare Sciences and Technology Department

Charter Oak State College
185 Main Street
New Britain, CT 06051

Email:  fvalier@charteroak.edu

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