Role of Social Determinants of Health in Widening Maternal and Child Health Disparities in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic

Deepa Dongarwar; Veronica B Ajewole; Emmanuella Oduguwa; Ahone Ngujede; Kiydra Harris; Theresa U Ofili; Omonike A Olaleye; Hamisu M Salihu

doi:10.21106/ijma.398

Role of Social Determinants of Health in Widening Maternal and Child Health Disparities in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic

Int J MCH AIDS. 2020;9(3):316-319. doi: 10.21106/ijma.398. Epub 2020 Jul 29.

Authors

Deepa Dongarwar¹, Veronica B Ajewole^{2

3

4}, Emmanuella Oduguwa¹, Ahone Ngujede⁵, Kiydra Harris^{2

3

4}, Theresa U Ofili⁵, Omonike A Olaleye^{2

3}, Hamisu M Salihu^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training, and Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
² Maternal and Child Health Student Training Program, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA.
³ College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA.
⁴ Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
⁵ College of Business, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, AL, USA.
⁶ Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Abstract

We present a conceptual model that describes the social determinants of health (SDOH) pathways contributing to worse outcomes in minority maternal and child health (MCH) populations due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10) codes in the categories Z55-Z65 to identify SDOH that potentially modulate MCH disparities. These SDOH pathways, coupled with pre-existing comorbidities, exert higher-than-expected burden of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality in minority communities. There is an urgent need for an increased infusion of resources to mitigate the effects of these SDOH and avert permanent truncation in quality and quantity of life among minorities following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Maternal and child health disparity; Minority women; Social determinants of health.