Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth are not just medical events; they're often intertwined with social challenges like food insecurity, transportation barriers, and financial strain, particularly for Black and Latina women. A new study from Mass General Brigham found that adverse pregnancy outcomes among these communities were significantly associated with greater health-related social needs, pointing to a critical gap in how postpartum care is currently delivered.

What Are the Social Barriers Linked to Pregnancy Complications?

Researchers analyzed data from 883 women in the BUSY-BP cohort study, including 400 participants (45.3%) who had experienced one or more adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study measured a wide range of social factors that affect maternal health and found that as the burden of social needs increased, so did the rate of pregnancy complications.

The social needs most strongly connected to adverse outcomes included:

• Education Support: Help with starting or completing job training, earning a high school diploma, or obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) equivalency certificate
• Food Security: Access to adequate nutrition and stable food sources throughout pregnancy
• Transportation: Reliable access to medical appointments and healthcare facilities
• Financial Stability: Protection from financial strain that can delay or prevent seeking care
• Employment: Job security and income stability during pregnancy and postpartum recovery
• Social Support: Family and community networks that provide emotional and practical assistance

The researchers emphasized that education-related needs showed a particularly strong connection to adverse outcomes. This suggests that women without access to educational opportunities or job training may face compounded stress that affects their pregnancy health.

How Can Healthcare Systems Better Support Pregnant Women?

The study suggests several practical approaches to improving maternal health outcomes:

• Integrate Social Screening: Add assessments of social needs into routine postpartum care visits, not just medical evaluations
• Connect Patients to Resources: Link women experiencing food insecurity, transportation challenges, or financial strain to community programs and support services
• Screen During Pregnancy: Identify social barriers early so interventions can begin before complications develop
• Develop Targeted Programs: Create postpartum support programs specifically designed to address education, employment, and financial needs

"Pregnancy can offer a critical window of engagement for patients and providers. Pregnancy complications should be viewed as an opportunity not only for cardiovascular risk prevention but also for screening for and addressing social needs," said Michael C. Honigberg, cardiologist and researcher with the Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute.

Michael C. Honigberg, Cardiologist and Senior Author, Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute

Honigberg and his team noted that while the study identifies the connection between social needs and adverse outcomes, more research is needed to determine cause and effect. However, the findings suggest that addressing these barriers could have meaningful impacts on long-term maternal health and reduce health disparities.

Why Does This Matter Beyond Pregnancy?

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are not isolated events. Preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and preterm birth are all associated with increased risks of chronic disease and cardiovascular problems later in life for both mothers and babies. For Black and Latina women, who already experience higher rates of these complications, the added burden of unmet social needs creates a compounding effect on long-term health.

"Identifying and testing interventions, such as social support programmes that can help women during the postpartum period, will be critical for improving downstream health outcomes for women and babies," Honigberg explained.

Michael C. Honigberg, Cardiologist and Senior Author, Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute

The research underscores an important truth: maternal health is not determined by medical care alone. The social environment in which women live, work, and raise their families plays a crucial role in determining pregnancy outcomes. Until healthcare systems begin screening for and addressing these social needs as part of standard postpartum care, disparities in maternal health will likely persist.