Recognizing and Mitigating Maternal and Infant Health Disparities (KISC)

4 units

Disparities in maternal and infant health are a significant problem in the St. Louis region, and in the nation overall. The Recognizing and Mitigating Maternal and Infant Health Disparities KISC will explore the many factors contributing to these disparities, including historical trauma, structural racism, and barriers to accessing to care. Specific topics include opioid use disorder, mental health, diabetes, cardiac disease, intimate partner violence, breastfeeding and infant nutrition, and infant safe sleep practices. Additionally, a significant amount of time will be spent in advocacy activities and with community care partners where students will experience alternative models of providing prenatal care with an interprofessional focus. Students will gain a strong understanding of the factors contributing to disparities in maternal and infant health and develop strategies to improve health outcome equity for mothers and children.This KISC will incorporate individual pre-work, active classroom-based pedagogies, and experiential learning. Students will be provided time for Required Preparation, such as the biologic basis for opioid use disorder and impact on exposed infants, best practices in supporting women who are victims of violence, and background readings such as "For the Sake of All Report" and "Setting the Standard for Holistic Care of and for Black Women -Black Mamas Matter Alliance." Classroom-based learning will include interactive discussions with guest speakers and experts from all the fields represented, which will prepare students to fully engage in the experiential learning elements of the KISC. The experiential learning component of this KISC will include participation in a variety of clinical settings and with several community partners committed to improving maternal/ infant health in the St. Louis region. Clinical sites include Affinia Health Care, the CARE Clinic for pregnant women with substance use disorders, Psychiatry clinics for pregnant women.