Release Date: January 6, 2025
Expiration Date: January 5, 2028
 
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, from 2006-2010, the ratio of pregnancy-related deaths to live births (PRMR) among non-Hispanic Black women was 5 times larger than the PRMR among non-Hispanic White women in Wisconsin. The effects of interpersonal and systemic racism contribute heavily to Black maternal mortality rates in the state, and are expected to be major factors in higher rates serious birth complications, including hemorrhage, kidney failure, eclampsia, and mental health disorders in Black birthing people^1,2. Maternal mental health disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy, with Black women experiencing higher rates of these disorders^3,4. Given these disparities, join as we discuss how to improve the care of Black mothers during and after pregnancy. 

This educational series will discuss:

• Root causes of mental health disparities in Black mothers, and how racism, chronic stress, and social determinants of health impact the lived experience of Black mothers.
• Medication management in perinatal care for Black mothers.
• Best practices in perinatal mental health screening.
• Leveraging community resources for the perinatal care of Black mothers.

¹ Wisconsin DHS - Maternal Mortality and Morbidity 

² Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health - Issue Brief: Black Maternal Mental Health 

³ Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment 2018-19 Surveillance Report  

⁴ Hernandez, N.D., Francis, S., Allen, M. et al. Prevalence and predictors of symptoms of Perinatal Mood and anxiety Disorders among a sample of Urban Black Women in the South. Matern Child Health J 26, 770–777 (2022)   

Session Learning Objectives 

• Describe strategies to detect mental health concerns in Black mothers.
• Identify common mental health diagnoses in the perinatal period.
• Discuss evidence-based screening tools and guidelines for administering those tools with perinatal patients.
• Identify screening tools that may be applicable to certain health care specialties.
• Apply best-practice principles for mental health screening to a case example and patients.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for physicians, residents, physician assistants, advanced practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social workers and other interested health care professionals.

Method of Participation 
To receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, participants must 1) view the presentation and listen to the synchronized audio of the recorded lecture, 2) pass a post-test with a minimum score of 80%, and 3) complete an evaluation form. 

Registration

Registration is required to access the course. Registration is free.

Disclosure

None of the planners or faculty for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

ADA Compliance

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Wisconsin Medical Society seeks to make this activity accessible to all. If you have a disability, which might require special accommodations, please call 608.442.3800.

Acknowledgement of Funder

Funds for this project are provided by the US American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Contact education@wismed.org with any questions.