Introduction
Preconception health, especially from the perspective of maternal health and outcomes, is an important issue for public health researchers and practitioners. The significance of preconception health trauma related to diabetes on the individuals, families, communities, and the society as a whole cannot be overemphasized. Notably, it is crucial to understand the role of African American fathers in supporting mothers who are facing preconception health problems linked to diabetes to develop interventions and support systems.
This paper aims to examine the intersectionality between the pre-conception health trauma related to diabetes among potential parents, especially African American mothers, and how paternal involvement can make a difference in fetal-infant outcomes. In the literature that explores the utilization of prenatal care by various ethnic groups and interventions that are aimed at preventing low birth weight among population groups like African Americans, this paper seeks to identify the main issues.
The search for the root causes of pre-conception health problems related to diabetes that start from antecedents such as biological predispositions to socio-economic determinants shall give solutions that can be used to solve the problem comprehensively. Consequently, ramifications caused by unresolved maternal stressors during the gestational periods that are associated with diabetes-related conditions, e.g., gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), will also be looked at across various facets like personal well-being, family dynamics, and community resilience-building efforts.
Literature Review
The role of African American fathers who play a supporting role to mothers in overcoming preconception health trauma related to diabetes is the most important for the development of maternal and child health outcomes. This literature review is on the role of paternal involvement, attitudes toward prenatal care, utilization patterns among different races, social support interventions, identity transformation narratives of teen parents, communication during birth experiences of Black individuals who had premature deliveries, intersectionality in Black maternal health experiences and how this affects mental well-being problems and its implications for research and policy.
Alio et al.’s study (2010) underlines that paternal involvement is an important determinant of fetal-infant health and survival outcomes. Studies such as Milligan et al. (2002) focus on the attitude of at-risk urban groups towards prenatal services, while the findings of the research by Norbeck et al. (1996) confirm the efficiency of social support interventions in preventing low birth weight, particularly among the African American population. Moreover, the study conducted by Smilkstein et al. indicates the opportunity to predict adverse pregnancy results in different populations using the biopsychosocial model. The scholarly work of Brubaker & Wright on identity changes among African American teen mothers who are in charge of taking care of family members is examined, while Gregory et al. (2024) focus on communication dynamics in birth experiences involving Black birthing individuals with preterm births, highlighting some of the areas that need improvement in health care. Lastly, Gilliam et al.’s review of the intersection components impacting Black maternal mental health gives great insights into fatherhood. It guides African American fathers who can play supportive roles in addressing the preconception health issues of expectant mothers who are at risk for diabetes-related trauma (2024).
Description & Prevalence
The trauma of diabetes complications among expectant mothers is a big global issue that concerns maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are approximately 21 million affected live births globally related to hyperglycemia in pregnancy, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as well as pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes (International Diabetes Federation, n.d.). This IDF number suggests that about one out of six babies get affected by hyperglycemia.
In the United States, where inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes continue to exist among racial/ethnic groups, it is essential to understand the role of African American fathers in supporting mothers who are experiencing preconception health concerns linked to diabetes. A national data set of similar studies, such as those by Wang et al. (2022), indicated that paternal involvement brings about positive results while dealing with these traumas on fetal-infant development. These roles of African American fathers reported in research presentations at conferences like the National Medical Association NMA (2019) involve providing emotional support, actively participating in decision-making regarding prenatal care, and encouraging healthy behaviors in families with diabetic challenges before conception.
The national data may show the crucial patterns of preconception health trauma related to diabetes, especially for African Americans, while the state-level data is more detailed regarding the variances across the regions and local healthcare systems. For instance, The number of pregnant women with GDM in Alaska was found to be higher than the national average (Gregory & Ely, 2022). In Northern California, community-based programs that focus on minority-group pregnant couples with diabetes-related problems have been put into place (Azar et al., 2019). As per the study conducted in Florida by Lord et al. (2020), it has been brought to light that pregnant women with preconception health problems of diabetes need targeted interventions and resources for support. This is evidenced by the state showing differences in access to specialized care for pre-conception diabetes since the state’s creation. Hence, looking into regional differences in healthcare delivery and providing equal access to complex health services in different regions and states, including Florida, is important.
This data overall reveals the global impact of preconception health trauma related to diabetes and also signifies the urgent necessity for specialized therapies and support networks that deal with this serious issue of public health.
Causes
Prediabetes health problems related to diabetes can be a complex combination of genetic traits, socio-economic determinants, habits of life, and access to health care. Identifying these causes will assist in the implementation of intervention approaches that may either prevent or reduce the level of diabetes-related preconception health trauma among parents.
Genetic Predispositions. The genetic components can be significant in the development of a higher risk of diabetes. There is research evidence to suggest that certain genetic variations are linked with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or type 2 diabetes and that these may have adverse effects or complications on the mother’s health from the time of conception (Plows et al., 2019).
Socioeconomics—socioeconomic status determines one’s accessibility to resources important for healthy prenatal care, such as healthcare facilities, healthy foods, and physical exercise opportunities. Pregnant women who are from low socio-economic status are at risk of facing challenges in knowing the risks of diabetes (Ahsan et al., 2022).
Lifestyle Choices- Lifestyle habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are among the major factors that result in the emergence or development of diabetes before conception. Modifying lifestyle factors as a result of targeted interventions is an important approach to reducing preconception problems related to diabetes (Downess & Tryon., 2023).
Access to Healthcare Services: Inequalities in the provision of quality healthcare services between races and geographical areas may cause a shortage of pre-conception diagnosis and management of diabetic-related issues. In case of difficulties in accessing specialized care (endocrinologists or diabetes educators), the identification of pre-existing conditions such as type 2 diabetes may be delayed, or the monitoring of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the planning stage of pregnancy might be suboptimal.
Implications
The effect of unresolved maternal-related stressors in the conception period, particularly diabetes issues such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), has a long-term impact on the individual, family, community, and society at large. Indications exist that stressors from the conception of a health problem that is linked to diabetes affect not only the immediate pregnancy outcomes but also the long-term health trajectory of both the mother and the offspring. The intergenerational effects of untreated maternal stress that occurred during reproductive periods with the presence of diabetic conditions would be characterized by an increased incidence of metabolic diseases, mental illnesses, and socioeconomic disparities in these populations.
Given the above, the health care system and the support networks must provide the right kind of care for the mother at this stage, starting well before conception. Through early detection, holistic management, including mental health support and treatment, contributes to the reduction of substantial consequences from preconception health traumas related to diabetes (Ahsan et al., 2022; Downes & Tryon, 2023). This should go together with the striving for systemic changes that ensure equal opportunities for culturally sensitive healthcare services across a lifetime.
Practice
The social work practice framework that is used in the delivery of preconception health trauma in the African American population in connection to type 2 diabetes involves clinical interventions that promote mental health and macro-practice approaches that advocate for cultural competence in healthcare. Clinical interventions should concentrate on giving psychological support and coping mechanisms for individuals going through emotional stress and trauma due to diabetic-related issues during the fertility period (Ahsan et al., 2022). Moreover, the advanced-level strategies involve advocating for equal opportunities in healthcare services tailored to suit the cultural needs of the affected communities and encouraging them to be included in and respected during the provision of care (Downes & Tryon, 2023).
Life Course Illustration
The life course perspective offers a broader viewpoint to understand how people in different stages of life are affected by early life disadvantages in diabetes. Whether the genetic susceptibilities of mothers concerning their well-being during pregnancy (Plows et al., 2018), the socio-economic disparities regarding access to care for the potential parents (Ahsan et al., 2022), or lifestyle factors affecting the long-term health outcomes (Downes & Tryon, 2023), this visual depiction showcases the interconnected pathways through which diabetic-related traumas influence individuals’ trajectories over their lifespan.
Resources
In terms of resources, organizations like the National Medical Association (NMA) are developing educational knowledge specifically for African American fathers who deal with the preconception periods affected by diabetic-related traumas. The initiative, just like the American Diabetes Association (ADA), provides counseling for women at emotional risk and with comorbidities like GDM (National Medical Association, NMA; American Diabetes Association, ADA).
Others include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which offers educational materials and programs that focus on preconception health education for diabetes-related trauma among African Americans (CDC). Another example is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a national initiative that offers support groups and resources to people of minority communities with mental health problems aggravated by diabetic-related issues in the preconception period (National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI). Further, Programs such as the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) which are aiming for culturally competent mental health services for African American pregnant women from the pre-conception stage with gestational diabetes mellitus or similar disorders. ABPsi addresses issues of consciousness and availability of the right psychological services within a population (Association of Black Psychologists – ABPsi).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the intersectionality of preconception health trauma related to diabetes among the African American populations highlights the importance of paternal involvement as a tool to enhance maternal and child health outcomes. This paper delves deeper into the various factors contributing to chronic diseases, including genetic predispositions, socio-economic determinants, lifestyle choices, and access to healthcare services, emphasizing the need to combat this scourge through contextualized interventions.
References
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