Panel Discussion

In this session, leaders from the academic, policy, and practice arenas will review social justice issues related to disparities in perinatal health and pregnancy outcomes. The role of social determinants in perpetuating persistent disparities in adverse outcomes, implications of health reform for improving access to health services among vulnerable populations, and innovative strategies for improving birth outcomes at both the community and national levels will be discussed. Following the presentations, participants will dialogue with the panelists on important steps that researchers, policymakers, and practitioners can take to promote social justice as a key mechanism for improving birth outcomes and fostering health equity.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1) Discuss findings from cutting edge research that highlight the role of social inequality as an underlying determinant of persistent disparities in pregnancy outcomes. 2) List at least two ways that health care reform will affect access to perinatal health care services in vulnerable populations. 3) Describe innovative community-based and national efforts to address persistent disparities in adverse birth outcomes.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)