The nursing impact on infant and maternal mortality/morbidity
The rates of infant and maternal mortality/morbidity are important indicators for healthcare accessibility and quality. Unfortunately, this is not always the case—especially for vulnerable populations such as minority groups where disparities in care often exist. In the US for example, African-American women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to their white counterparts—a concerning figure that highlights continued need for improved healthcare access.
Due to a lack of resources, infant mortality rates are also rising especially in rural and poor areas. Morbidity rates also rise, with some conditions such as lead poisoning and poor nutrition becoming more common. This shows that there is a need to invest more in preventative and existing infrastructure, so everyone has equal opportunities for a healthy lifestyle.