Kentucky Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Task Force: Social Drivers of Health
Learn about the social drivers of health arm of the Kentucky Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Task Force and how it addresses the various contributing factors to maternal morbidity and mortality in the state.
Our Social Drivers of Health arm of the task force focuses on improving global health outcomes, advocating for maternal health priorities, and strengthening partnerships within the healthcare network to better address the social drivers of health in Kentucky.
Ky Maternal Mortality & Morbidity
What are Social Drivers of Health in Maternity?
Maternal health outcomes are shaped not only by clinical care but also by the social and economic conditions in which people live, work, and raise families. These Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) are critical to understanding and addressing the root causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in Kentucky and beyond. Some of these common drivers are listed below:
Access to Healthcare
Limited access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care—especially in rural or underserved areas—can delay diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.
Mental Health & Social Support
Depression, anxiety, and lack of social support during pregnancy and postpartum are linked to poorer health outcomes and increased risk of complications.
Substance Use
Substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid, alcohol, and tobacco dependence, are significant contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality. SUDs can lead to complications such as preterm birth, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and overdose. Stigma, limited treatment options, and fear of legal consequences often prevent individuals from seeking care.
Safety/Injury
Domestic violence, unsafe living conditions, and lack of injury prevention resources can pose serious risks to pregnant individuals and infants. Screening for intimate partner violence and promoting safe home environments are essential components of maternal care.
These are just a few of the social factors that can become detrimental to maternal health.
Our Strategy
Encouraging, supporting, and implementing evidence-based and data-driven programs, initiatives, and policies that address the unique societal and individual conditions that contribute to non-obstetric causes of maternal morbidity and mortality.
What We’re Doing to Solve Maternal Morbidity & Mortality
Social Driver Committees
Within the KyMMM’s Social Drivers of Health Arm, there is a committee designated to target the non-obstetric factors contributing to morbidity and mortality of mothers during and after pregnancy: