BRWN-00093 - Perinatal Race-Based Health Disparities and the Role of Culturally Congruent Care in Addressing Maternal Mortality
The United States continues to experience high maternal mortality rates compared to other developed countries. Data shows that women of color face significantly higher risks of complications and mortality during the perinatal period, even when controlling for factors such as education and income. In the first part of this training, we will explore the historical development of obstetric care in the U.S., including key contributors and the evolution of practices. A particular focus will be placed on healthcare institutions in the St. Louis area and an overview of current maternal health statistics. We will address both individual and systemic factors that influence outcomes, including provider bias and differences in access to care. We will also review current national and local efforts aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. The session will include a review of the CDC’s “Early Warning Signs,” a practical toolkit to help clinicians recognize potential complications during pregnancy and postpartum.
In the second part, we will shift the focus to behavioral health. Topics will include patterns in diagnosis, treatment, and patient engagement. We will examine how historical trends, stigma, and workforce demographics have shaped care delivery and outcomes. We will also highlight treatment models developed by professionals working to improve alignment between patient needs and therapeutic approaches.
This is a recorded asynchronous distance learning course and meets the licensure requirement for 3 hours of continuing education in cultural competency.
- Approximate duration: 3 hours
- Registration: $50
- CEs: 3
(contingent on passing a post-test, score of 70% or higher)
Following registration and payment, you will receive an email with a link to view the lecture, print off handouts, and take the post-test. Complete viewing and the post-test at your convenience at any time over the next 30 days.
Questions about online lectures? Please email us at brownprofdev@wustl.edu.
Course Outline
Content Level: Beginner
Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors/Therapists, and other Mental Health Professionals, particularly those working with perinatal clients and families.
Date Recorded: May 21, 2025
Agenda:
- History/Overview of Obstetrics in the US.
- History/Overview of St Louis Medical Institutions and the impact of segregation-era laws on perinatal care.
- Reflection
- Discussion of internalized biases and intergenerational trauma.
- Current overview of the maternal health crisis, including recent trends.
- Videos.
- History/Overview of perinatal psychiatry.
- Stigmas and barriers to mental health care for women of color.
- Culturally congruent resources.
Learner Outcomes
- Describe key points in the history of obstetric care, and give examples of historical injustices that have shaped modern healthcare.
- Summarize what is meant by ”the maternal health crisis” and provide an overview of current statistics.
- Identify the causes of behavioral health treatment disparities and discuss barriers.
- Describe culturally congruent models for perinatal clients.
Course Completion Requirements:
The Brown School is an approved provider of Social Work CEUs in Missouri and Illinois.
The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/24/2024 – 9/24/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3 ethics continuing education credits.
To earn CE credit, registrants must watch all videos in their entirety, pass a post-test with a score of 70% or higher, and complete and evaluation with in 30 days of registration. Partial credit is not available.
Missouri and Illinois CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown. You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.