Running head: IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 1

Impact of Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities on the Well-being of the

Maternal-Child Population

Name

Institutional Affiliation
IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 2

Impact of Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities on the Well-being of the

Maternal-Child Population

Introduction

The social determinants of health are the social and economic conditions classified into;

social and community context, health and healthcare, education, neighborhood, and built

environment and economic stability. The social determinants of health (SODH) are complex

circumstances where a person is born and raised; hence, they affect an individual's life based on

their economic and social condition. The most important social factors that affect the maternal-

child population include ethnicity, culture, gender, religion, economic status, sexual orientation,

and race (Baciu et al., 2017). This article provides an assessment of how social determinants of

health and health disparities impact the maternal-child population's well-being and health in the

Bronx's borough.

The factors that contribute to health disparities are evolving, diverse, complex, and

interdependent on nature. Therefore, it is vital to comprehend the underlying conditions and

causes of health disparities to formulate effective interventions to attain health equity. The health

inequities result from a wide range of determinants and are grouped into intermediary and

structural determinants. Intermediary determinants operate with the structural determinants to

produce compromising conditions in the healthcare system. Structural determinants are those

factors that generate health inequities by reinforcing or developing social stratification in society

(Singu et al., 2020). The maternal-child population's well-being and health can be promoted by

addressing the SODH because they reduce health disparities and improve health.
IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 3

Social Determinants of Maternal-Child Population in the Bronx

Economic Status

The economic status or poverty levels are usually measured in terms of household

income, living standards, and the unemployment rate, among other factors. In the smaller

communities in the Bronx, such as Baychester and Williamsbridge, approximately 23% of

residents live in poverty (NYC health, 2018). Individuals in these neighborhoods experience

difficulty affording household rent, clothing, health care, food, and transportation. Income has a

direct effect on health. The death rates of women and children are higher due to poor living

conditions and lack of resources (Singu et al., 2020). The poverty levels experienced in the

Bronx reduce maternal health services, thus decreasing the maternal-child population.

Education

Women's level of education determines the use of health services in the borough of the

Bronx. Better health outcomes are credited to a higher level of education. In the Bronx,

Baychester, and Williamsbridge communities, approximately one-third of adults have a college

degree (NYC health, 2018). The rate of school absenteeism and dropout is also high at the

elementary and high school levels. Without opportunities and resources to further their studies,

individuals from these communities experience a short-life expectancy. Women with primary

education usually seek prenatal care and ante-natal care compared to illiterate ones (Baciu et al.,

2017). If a husband in a household is educated, then the wife is most likely to access maternal

health services, thus increasing the maternal-child population.

Race

Government and non-governmental institutions' process of refusing or removing funding

to neighborhoods and communities of color has resulted in poor health outcomes. The practices

and policies basing on structural racism have resulted in inadequate resources that promote

maternal health. The Williamsbridge and Baychester communities' population comprises races

such as Latino, Black, White, Asian, among others (NYC health, 2018). The majority of the

people are blacks comprising 65% of the general population; whites comprise 6% (NYC health,

2018). A significant number of this population have reported discrimination both in non-

healthcare and healthcare settings. The majority of Hispanics and African Americans have

experienced racial profiling; hence they have developed risky behaviors (Baciu et al., 2017).

Women from these races have experienced preterm delivery, therefore poor birth-related

outcomes. This has resulted in a low maternal-child population due to stress-related conditions,

including substance abuse, mental health disorders, hypertension, and other birth-related

complications. Racism is a health burden, and it results in chronic diseases and, sometimes,

death.

Gender

Gender inequalities always result in negative interactions such as unequal access to

quality education, unequal job opportunities, and inequalities in justice access. This negative

interaction based on gender may limit interactions between a healthcare provider and a patient

(Dongarwar et al., 2020). Most pregnant women from low social class are less likely to access

quality health care services. During pregnancy periods, those women who experience domestic

violence are less likely to have safe deliveries, leading to a low maternal-child population. Other
IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 5

sexual orientations, such as the LGBTQ individuals, also experience hate crimes, affecting an

individual's general health or person.

Social Environment

The social environment's major concepts revolve around businesses, individuals,

organizations, and families within the community. Health equality for the maternal-child

population can be promoted through social networking, willingness, and participation towards a

common health goal (Dongarwar et al., 2020). Williamsbridge and Baychester's social

environment is encouraged for better mental health outcomes. Some factors, such as hazardous

conditions, housing, and exposure to violence, have resulted in depression, affecting the

maternal-child population. Proper neighborhoods in Baychester and Williamsbridge contain

good air conditioners, and fresh air promotes strong social relationships (NYC health, 2018).

Hence, pregnant women are less likely to be exposed to some high-risk conditions.

Neighborhood and environmental conditions determine the maternal-child population's

well-being because a certain population ends up in some specific location. For example, in

Williamsbridge and Baychester communities, most of the occupants are African-Americans and

Hispanics; thus, their neighborhood is more likely to be exposed to pollution (NYC health,

2018). This is because high poverty levels usually force individuals to live near refineries,

landfills, and factories that emit pollutants. The neighborhoods can also be overcrowded,

affecting the health of pregnant women and children (Singu et al., 2020).

Health and Healthcare

Health literacy is individuals' capacity to process, understand, and obtain health

information before making proper health decisions. Individuals with high poverty and low

education from Baychester and Williamsbridge communities might have low literacy levels,
IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 6

resulting in poorer health outcomes (NYC health, 2018). Additionally, children and pregnant

women's access to primary and quality health care is essential to prevent infant deaths

(Dongarwar et al., 2020). Access to prenatal care is critical for successful deliveries across the

Bronx. The rate of child hospitalizations and obesity is relatively higher at Williamsbridge and

Baychester than in other communities in the Bronx (NYC health, 2018).

Clinical care, diagnosis, and disease management is also an essential role in healthcare

outcomes. Thus, if these factors are not put into consideration, they might lead to premature

death. Minority groups such as Hispanics and African-Americans usually face discrimination in

accessing quality health care; hence their low population can be attributed to this factor. The

number of avoidable hospitalizations in the Bronx and other small communities is high; this is

because there is a lack of primary care for the general population (NYC health, 2018).

In conclusion, the social determinants of health and health disparities affect the maternal-

child population's well-being in Baychester and Williamsbridge communities. Some social

determinants that affect health in the Bronx's borough include economic status, education,

gender, social environment, race, health, and healthcare. The minority groups such as Hispanics

and African-Americans are in the less advantaged position due to structural and individual

discrimination, affecting health outcomes. The inequalities experienced in health care and health

systems can add to the disparities in mortality and morbidity. Pregnant women and children

should access equal health opportunities regardless of where they live, income, gender, race, or

sexual orientation.
IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 7

References

Baciu, A., Negussie, Y., Geller, A., Weinstein, J. N., & National Academies of Sciences,

Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The Root Causes of Health Inequity. In Communities

in Action: Pathways to Health Equity. National Academies Press (US).

Community health profiles - NYC health. (2018). Retrieved from

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/data/data-publications/profiles.page

Dongarwar, D., Ajewole, V. B., Oduguwa, E., Ngujede, A., Harris, K., Ofili, T. U., ... & Salihu,

H. M. (2020). Role of social determinants of health in widening maternal and child health

disparities in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Maternal and Child

Health and AIDS, 9(3), 316.

Singu, S., Acharya, A., Challagundla, K., & Byrareddy, S. N. (2020). Impact of social

determinants of health on the emerging COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Frontiers in public health, 8.