Identify and describe three actions you can take as an NP to mitigate the social impacts on
marginalized women and/or children
According to Sacks (2020), women often receive less quality care or even do not seek care.
There are several reasons. In the article, women were frowned upon for not having items for
their babies. Disparities in healthcare are real and as healthcare providers, we must be
aware and help decrease disparities that arise in our communities. Three actions that I can
take as an NP to mitigate the social impacts on marginalized women and/or children are to
be open and honest with patients to develop trust, so they will feel comfortable to talk to
me; o er an environment that is inviting and nonjudgmental that does not expect them to
look or think a certain way; and to be aware of my own biases and stereotypes to not place
them on marginalized women and/or children. These interventions will help decrease the
resistance to seeking medical care and will prevent delays in care that lead to poor patient
outcomes.
Discuss the role of federal, state, and local health policy in the marginalization of women,
children, and childbearing families.
The role of federal, state, and local health policy in the marginalization of women, children,
and childbearing families can either be positive or negative depending on the policy and
those it a ects. Those not in healthcare such as politicians do not always understand the
consequences of a policy and the outcome it may have on patients as well as providers.
Studies have shown that social determinants of health a ect patient outcomes. Disparities
including race and ethnicity account for higher morbidity and mortality of women and
children in the United States. Many programs aim to decrease disparities in healthcare and
improve the health of women, children, and the childbearing family.
Identify one policy that impacts marginalized groups (include whether the policy is at the
federal, state, or local level).
Many policies and programs look to improve the health of women and children. Medicaid is
one such program that provides health insurance for low-income pregnant women through
the Department of Health & Human Services. The purpose is to provide needed neonatal
care for better outcomes for both mother and baby. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of
1978 provides that employers can’t discriminate based on sex due to pregnancy under the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. One recent piece of legislation is The White
House Blueprint For Addressing The Maternal Health Crisis which was enacted in June
- It is a federal policy.
Discuss how the selected policy impacts marginalized groups either positively or
negatively.
The White House Blueprint For Addressing The Maternal Health Crisis is an action plan that
has 5 goals and entails help from multiple agencies to address these goals. This Blueprint
is to have a positive impact on marginalized groups. The goals are increasing access to and
coverage of high-quality maternal health services; ensuring those giving birth are heard and
are decision-makers in accountable systems of care; advancing data collection,
standardization, harmonization, transparency, and research; expanding and diversifying
the perinatal workforce; and strengthening economic and social supports for people
before, during, and after pregnancy. With these goals, interventions will be in place by the
federal government to decrease the marginalization of women, children, and childbearing
families and thus improve patient outcomes leading to better outcomes for the community
and nation as a whole.
Full Answer Section
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- Provide clear explanations of diagnoses and treatment plans, ensuring understanding.
- Establish consistent follow-up, demonstrating continued care and commitment.
- For example, if a patient expresses concerns about childcare during appointments, work to find solutions, such as flexible scheduling or connecting them with community resources.
- Rationale: Marginalized individuals often experience distrust of healthcare systems due to past negative experiences. Consistent, transparent communication rebuilds that trust.
- Creating a Non-Judgmental and Inviting Environment:
- Actionable Steps:
- Ensure the clinic environment is welcoming and inclusive, with diverse representation in staff and materials.
- Avoid assumptions about patients' lifestyles, socioeconomic status, or family structures.
- Offer resources and support without making patients feel ashamed or inadequate.
- Train staff on cultural competency and implicit bias.
- For example, instead of judging a mother for not having certain baby items, provide information on available resources and support programs.
- Rationale: Marginalized individuals may avoid seeking care due to fear of judgment. A safe and welcoming environment encourages them to access necessary services.
- Recognizing and Addressing Personal Biases:
- Actionable Steps:
- Engage in ongoing self-reflection and education about implicit bias.
- Seek feedback from colleagues and patients to identify potential blind spots.
- Actively challenge stereotypes and assumptions in your own thinking and practice.
- Use standardized assessment tools to minimize the impact of subjective biases.
- For example, be aware that statistical data shows that black women have a much higher rate of maternal mortality than white women, and that this data should cause you to provide extra screening, and care for black patients.
- Rationale: Unconscious biases can influence clinical decision-making and patient interactions. Self-awareness is essential for providing equitable care.
Role of Health Policy in Marginalization
You've accurately pointed out the potential for both positive and negative impacts. Let's add specifics:
- Negative Impacts:
- Restrictive eligibility criteria for programs like Medicaid can exclude vulnerable populations.
- Lack of funding for community health centers can limit access to care in underserved areas.
- Policies that restrict access to reproductive healthcare disproportionately affect marginalized women.
- For example, some state level policies have made it very difficult for women to access abortion services, and this effects poor and minority women at a much higher rate.
- Positive Impacts:
- Policies that expand access to affordable healthcare, such as the Affordable Care Act, can improve health outcomes.
- Programs that address social determinants of health, such as housing and food assistance, can reduce disparities.
- Legislation that protects against discrimination in healthcare can ensure equitable treatment.
Policy Analysis: The White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis
- Positive Impacts:
- The blueprint's goals directly address the systemic factors contributing to maternal health disparities.
- By increasing access to care, empowering patients, and advancing research, it aims to improve outcomes for marginalized groups.
- The focus on diversifying the perinatal workforce can help ensure culturally competent care.
- The focus on social and economic factors, is very important, because those factors have a very large impact on health.
- Implementation Challenges:
- Effective implementation requires collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies.
- Sustained funding and political will are essential for achieving the blueprint's goals.
- Addressing deeply rooted systemic inequities requires long-term commitment.
Additional Considerations:
- Data Collection: Accurate and disaggregated data is crucial for identifying and addressing disparities.
- Community Engagement: Involving marginalized communities in policy development and implementation can ensure that their needs are met.
- Advocacy: NPs can play a vital role in advocating for policies that promote health equity.
Sample Answer
This is a well-structured response addressing the challenges faced by marginalized women and children in healthcare. Let's further develop each point with greater detail and emphasis on actionable steps.
Mitigating Social Impacts on Marginalized Women and Children (NP Actions)
You've correctly identified crucial elements: trust, non-judgment, and self-awareness. Let's expand on these:
- Building Trust Through Open and Honest Communication:
- Actionable Steps:
- Use culturally sensitive language and avoid medical jargon.
- Actively listen and validate patients' concerns, even if they seem minor