How Health Literacy Has the Power to Impact Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes

Read Length: 6 Minutes???

October is Health Literacy Month, a time to raise awareness about the critical role that health literacy plays in improving health outcomes. While health literacy affects people of all ages and backgrounds, it is particularly important for pregnant women and new mothers. Nearly 1 in 5 pregnant individuals have inadequate health literacy , regardless of socioeconomic status. Maternal and infant health outcomes are closely linked to health literacy, as the ability to understand and act on health information can significantly impact the well-being of both mother and child.?

As we observe Health Literacy Month, it’s vital to focus on how improving health literacy can lead to healthier pregnancies, safer childbirths, and better long-term health for infants.?

What is Health Literacy??

Health literacy is more than just the ability to read and write. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , it encompasses the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to make appropriate health-related decisions. In today’s complex healthcare environment, this could involve understanding a doctor’s instructions, reading prescription labels, managing a chronic condition, or navigating health insurance paperwork.?

There are two critical components of health literacy: personal health literacy and organizational health literacy. Personal health literacy refers to an individual’s ability to make informed health decisions for themselves or their families. Organizational health literacy, on the other hand, is about how well healthcare organizations provide accessible health information to their patients.?

The Importance of Health Literacy in Maternal and Infant Health?

For expectant mothers, health literacy is crucial from the very beginning. Women need to understand prenatal care recommendations, the risks associated with certain medical conditions during pregnancy, and the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Without clear and accessible health information, mothers may struggle to follow medical advice or recognize warning signs of complications such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes. Women who have four or more prenatal care visits are more likely to have adequate health literacy than those who have fewer.?

After childbirth, health literacy remains essential for navigating postpartum self-care and infant care. Mothers need to understand breastfeeding techniques, infant nutrition, and how to recognize common health issues in newborns. Additionally, important decisions regarding immunizations, regular pediatric checkups, and safe sleep practices all rely on a mother’s ability to process and act on health information.?In addition to caring for their infants, mothers should be aware of warning signs of conditions that can affect their own health, such as postpartum depression, anxiety, infections, and complications from C-sections.

The Cost of Low Health Literacy?

Low health literacy can lead to serious health risks for both mothers and infants. Studies show that individuals with limited health literacy are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, miss preventive care appointments, and have higher rates of hospitalization. A recent study revealed that 72% of the mothers possessed low health literacy, and 28.0% had adequate health literacy.? For pregnant women, low health literacy increases the likelihood of not receiving adequate prenatal care, which can result in complications during pregnancy and delivery.?

In the context of maternal and infant health, low health literacy can also contribute to higher rates of maternal mortality, premature births, and infant mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO ) has emphasized that improving maternal health literacy is key to reducing these tragic outcomes. A lack of understanding about how to manage postpartum health or when to seek medical help can put new mothers and their babies at risk.?

Bridging the Health Literacy Gap with ProgenyHealth??

Addressing health literacy barriers is essential to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Here are some strategies that our ProgenyHealth Case Managers use to help bridge the gap:?

1. Clear Communication from Healthcare Providers: Healthcare providers must ensure they communicate medical information in plain language. Our Case Managers work diligently to ensure members have clear instructions from their doctors and can help answer any questions or concerns members have after visiting their care team.??
2. Culturally Sensitive Education: Health literacy initiatives should account for cultural differences and be accessible in multiple languages. ProgenyHealth provides materials and resources that resonate with diverse populations and can help reduce disparities in maternal and infant health.?
3. Patient Empowerment and Advocacy: Expectant mothers and new parents should be encouraged to ask questions, seek clarification, and advocate for themselves and their babies. Providing decision aids and tools that empower women to participate in their healthcare decisions can improve outcomes. ProgenyHealth provides a digital app to members to communicate with their Case Managers, read about their pregnancy, and keep track of important checklist items.??
4. Community Support Programs: ProgenyHealth Case Managers connect members to trusted community-based programs that focus on maternal and infant health and can play a significant role in improving health literacy. By offering prenatal and postpartum education, breastfeeding support groups, and access to other health resources, these programs empower mothers to make informed decisions.?

Conclusion?

As ProgenyHealth celebrates Health Literacy Month, it’s important to recognize the pivotal role health literacy plays in maternal and infant health. When mothers have the knowledge and tools to understand and manage their health, both they and their babies are more likely to thrive. By improving health literacy, we can ensure that more women experience healthy pregnancies and that infants have the best start in life.?

This month offers an opportunity for healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers to work together to improve health literacy and, in doing so, contribute to the well-being of mothers and their children.?

Additional Resources???

• https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/enhanced-wellbeing/ninth-global-conference/health-literacy ?

• https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/learn/index.html ?

Upcoming Events??

• Attending the Texas Association of Health Plans Texas Covered Conference + Expo? ProgenyHealth team members Mary Villa, MS, RD , Matt McCredie , and Christa (Meyers) Proefrock would love to see you at booth #53!? #TAHP2024

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