Tetteh, Grace Naa Ayengo
(2021)
Evaluating the Promotion of Health Equity by UPMC Hospital Systems to Improve Black Maternal Health.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Black women experience health disparities in a number of areas, especially in maternal health outcomes, compared to other racial groups. This is an important public health issue because the level of health and wellbeing of Black mothers directly impacts their quality of life and their ability to lead fulfilled lives. Additionally, the health of the mother affects the entire family structure. If Black mothers are not healthy and thriving, then their children and other family members may experience poor health outcomes as well. The historical context of racism in the United States necessitates the promotion of health equity in hospitals and hospital systems as a method to mitigate poor maternal health outcomes of Black women. In Pittsburgh, Black women experience poorer maternal health outcomes than many other similar cities. This essay seeks to evaluate the promotion of health equity for Black women by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers (UPMC) health system by using an equity assessment tool. The assessment tool includes the indicators of build agency, incorporate structural change and policy recommendations, encourage shared responsibility, use endowments, prioritize Black maternal and child health through the reproductive lens, center Black experience, targeted outreach, be intersectional, reach to the diaspora, and board and staff composition. The evaluation was completed by reviewing publicly available resources and activities associated with UPMC. After reviewing the sources, a rating was given based on the extent to which the information presented aligned with the description of the indicators. UPMC received low ratings for all the indicators assessed which indicates that the extent to which UPMC promotes health equity for Black women and femmes is very low. Considering the large disparities in maternal health outcomes experienced by Black women compared to women of other races, more programs and initiatives should be allocated to support Black mothers.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
| Creators | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Tetteh, Grace Naa Ayengo | gnt4@pitt.edu | gnt4 | |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Gary-Webb, Tiffany | tgary@pitt.edu | tgary | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Salter, Cynthia | cys6@pitt.edu | cys | UNSPECIFIED |
|
| Date: |
13 May 2021 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Submission Date: |
30 April 2021 |
| Access Restriction: |
2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
49 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
maternal health, Black women, health equity, Black maternal health, Black womens health, Hospital systems |
| Date Deposited: |
13 May 2021 20:47 |
| Last Modified: |
13 May 2023 05:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/40962 |
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