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Addressing Disparities in Women’s Access to Healthcare

In 2024, McKinsey Health Institute and the World Economic Forum highlighted the significant healthcare disparities faced by women. Their research showed that closing these gaps could enhance global economies by $1 trillion by 2040, while simultaneously increasing women’s lifespans.

At the University of South Carolina, multidisciplinary faculty members are working tirelessly to address these disparities. Across different fields like public health, exercise science, nursing, and primary care, USC researchers are striving to tackle issues underpinning the health care gap for women, thereby improving the overall health and wellness of all South Carolinians.

Exploring The Impact of Maternal Healthcare on Women

Professor Jihong Liu, from the Arnold School of Public Health, examines the influence of maternal health care on women and their offspring. Her research includes investigating developmental origins of diseases and how a woman’s pregnancy experiences can impact her health long-term.

“Pregnancy is a critical juncture for mothers, offering unique opportunities for health education,” Liu asserts. She believes sustaining healthy habits, such as quitting smoking and drinking during pregnancy, can be beneficial post-pregnancy.

Liu emphasizes that pregnancy often reveals hidden health problems or risk factors in women. For example, a diagnosis of gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Similarly, hypertension during pregnancy can expose or even trigger latent health issues, increasing their risk of cardiovascular diseases.

“Pregnancy often represents the first time many women have regular doctor visits, leading to the discovery of chronic health conditions,” Liu says.

Liu sees pregnancy as an invaluable opportunity for a woman to learn about her health and adopt habits to improve her health. This is why prenatal healthcare is critical, and why postpartum care is equally important.

“Post-birth, women often focus their energy on caring for their newborn, paying less attention to their own health, which can be problematic. Hence, medical bodies are increasingly emphasizing the importance of postpartum care as a critical phase in maternal care,” she states.

The Disconnect in Post-partum Care

Liu has identified a concerning issue in post-partum care — the transition from regular visits to the OBGYN to primary care, or sometimes no medical follow-ups at all. This can lead to missed opportunities for preventive care and the loss of crucial health information.

“There’s a disconnect between the OBGYN and the primary care provider, leaving women feeling as though they’re starting over with someone new. This disconnect can lead to missed opportunities for preventive care,” Liu says.

According to Liu, one way to bridge this gap is to employ community health workers to help patients remain engaged in their care. These workers could assist patients in understanding doctor’s notes after visits, provide regular check-ins, and offer a listening ear to patient’s concerns.

The Role of Community Health Workers in Maternal Health Care

Liu has seen firsthand the benefits of the community health work model through her collaboration with Prisma Health’s Healthy Start program. The program serves communities across the U.S. where infant mortality rates are 1.5 to 2 times higher than the national average.

Liu’s analysis of the program’s effectiveness over two decades led to the program’s expansion in South Carolina. While the rate of infant mortality hasn’t significantly reduced due to the program, other metrics, such as birth weight, have seen significant improvement.

“The program helps women receive more adequate prenatal care. Participants are more likely to enroll in WIC and more likely to quit smoking,” Liu states.

Consequently, Liu believes that these positive effects occur because the program provides targeted care based on women’s needs.

Using Technology to Improve Women’s Health Care

In addition to her work with Healthy Start, Liu is also partnering with Prisma Health care providers to monitor blood pressure in postpartum women who had hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, funded by the Duke Endowment.

Using remote monitoring and artificial intelligence, they can track daily symptoms and flag any participants who need follow-up with a provider. Liu also plans to study remote monitoring for participants at risk of high blood sugar after gestational diabetes.

If this new technology proves useful, Liu hopes clinicians will use it in the future to improve outcomes for postpartum women.

Discover how another USC researcher is leveraging AI to help bridge the women’s health care gap.