Developed by:
Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, CHWI – Assistant Professor/Senior Fellow for Health Literacy, SaferCare Texas, University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health
Marie Stark, MSN, RNC-OB – Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Texas Christian University, Harris College of Nursing
The U.S. maternal death rate is too high. Disparities exist for black mothers, low-income women, women at extremes of maternal age & women from rural areas. Some definitions of maternal mortality extend to 365 days following pregnancy termination & it is estimated that 50% of maternal deaths are preventable. For women to receive appropriate postpartum care, health literacy – the ability to understand & use health information – must be considered. To reduce postpartum maternal mortality, women must receive better education of potential complications & access to care providers for individualized services & supports that are understandable & culturally relevant.
In answer to this, this innovative curriculum was developed using an interactive learning module to teach graduate MCH & nursing students & community health workers critical thinking, communication & cultural competency skills, improving health literacy practices to increase women’s understanding of abnormal postpartum symptoms requiring emergency medical attention & their ability to seek adequate care.
The full, updated online Curriculum– includes Pre-Test, PowerPoint with Instructor Notes & Lesson Plan, Post Test, Health Literacy Jeopardy and Reflection Paper & Rubric.