Maternal and Child Health: Synopsis Description, Essay Example

The center for disease control and prevention has reiterated that safe motherhood starts before conception. It encompasses proper nutrion and appropriate life style consistent with effective health care standards. It was also confirmed that pregnancy and child birth has a strong influence on the mother and family members’ well-being. The fact is that some pregnancies are unplanned. Therefore, the economic impact of caring for both mother and child brings a significant financial strain upon parents and other family members who have to provide for both unborn and mother (Division of Reproductive Health, 2013).

However, maternal and infant health has become a global health issue being addressed by both health people 2020 initiative as well as the United Nations. Current statistics reveal that poor maternal health is the fourth leading cause of death globally. Further it has been reported that every minute a woman dies from complications of child birth. Across the world this is pandemic and women in poorer nations are mostly affected. Alarmingly, in developed nations such as United States of America the problem is acute. Maternal death rates have escalated recently (Skolnik, 2012).

Discussion concerning the role of politics, power, and public policy and their impacts in community health

An organization, which has gained international popularity in its intervention regarding maternal and child health across the globe is the Planned Parenthood Association (PPA) representing a non-profit entity. The organization is affiliated to and funded by the Planned Parenthood Action fund. Organizers of this fund are pro-choice lobbyists who are committed to advancing comprehensive sex education and accessible health care in America. The relationship of this organization with global maternal and infant health issues appears as a position of power due to the funding and to some extent free care (Eckholm, 2011).

Health care globally is not in all countries do not function as a for-profit business as in the US where maternal and child care may not be affordable. However, politics plays a very important role regarding the quality of maternal health women receive in their respective countries. Consequently, while polices were designed within a community health framework, the politics of health care limits effective execution.

References

Division of Reproductive Health (2013). Reproductive Health: Maternal and Infant Health. Retrieved on March, 20^th,  2014 from http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/MaternalInfantHealth/index.htm

Eckholm, Erik (February 17, 2011). Planned Parenthood Financing Is Caught in Budget Feud.. New York Times

Skolnik, R. (2012). Global Health 101. Jones & Bartlett Learning