Date of Award

1-1-2019

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Shayna Cunningham

Second Advisor

Nicola Hawley

Abstract

The United States consistently spends more on healthcare than other developed nations, but continues to suffer from inferior outcomes in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Innovation is needed within maternal and child healthcare to address these adverse outcomes. One identified innovative approach to tackle these issues is group prenatal care (GPNC). Women who participate in GPNC experience individual clinical care checks to monitor weight, blood pressure, and gestational age in addition to interactive learning and community-building activities and discussions. When compared to those who receive individual prenatal care, GPNC recipients have lower rates of preterm birth, fewer small for gestational age infants, less incident of sexually transmitted infections, and fewer depressive symptoms as well as increased patient satisfaction with care. GPNC has also shown to be cost-saving and is well received by patients and providers. Despite these positive outcomes, GPNC has yet to be widely adapted and utilized. This manuscript describes the challenges that are acting as barriers to a large-scale acceptance of GPNC, including logistical challenges, unsustainable financing mechanisms, and a mixed evidence-base and presents recommendations for future research and policy actions that could help overcome these challenges.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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