Table 1 Factors affecting health equity in pregnant individuals
Gap | Measures to implement | |
|---|---|---|
Education | Limited access to quality education | Improve educational opportunities for women by investing in girls’ education, promoting gender equality in schools and colleges, and providing scholarships and mentorship programs. |
Economic empowerment | Women often face gender-based discrimination in the workplace, leading to lower pay, limited job opportunities, and financial insecurity. | Implement policies that ensure equal pay for equal work, promote women’s entrepreneurship and leadership, provide affordable childcare facilities, and support vocational training and skill development programs |
Healthcare access | Limited access to affordable and quality preconception and prenatal care. Limited acces to mental health services Limited access to treatment for substance | Expand healthcare coverage and reduce financial barriers through policies like universal healthcare, increase the number of healthcare facilities in underserved areas, improve women’s access to reproductive health services, and enhance cultural competency and sensitivity in healthcare provision |
Housing access | Housing insecurity Homelessness | Inproving housing quality, stability and affordability Improving neighborhood conditions |
Violence Prevention | High rates of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and gender-based violence | Strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect women from violence, raise awareness about gender-based violence and its consequences, provide support services for survivors, and promote community-based prevention programs |
Social Support Networks | Inadequate social support networks and community resources for women, particularly those facing multiple vulnerabilities | Develop and strengthen community-based organizations and support networks that address the specific needs of women, including immigrant women, women of color, and marginalized groups. This can include peer support groups, counseling services, and community outreach programs |
Policy and Advocacy | Insufficient attention to gender-sensitive policies and lack of representation of women in decision-making processes | Develop and implement policies that address gender inequalities, promote gender mainstreaming in all sectors, ensure equal representation of women in leadership positions, and support women’s participation in policymaking and advocacy efforts |
Research and Data | Limited research and data on women’s health issues, particularly those related to social determinants of health | Invest in research that explores the intersectionality of gender, race, and socioeconomic factors in health outcomes, collect gender-disaggregated data, and use evidence-based research to inform policy and program development |