Addressing social determinants of health in maternal cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the number one cause of maternal mortality, with over two-thirds of the cases being preventable. Social determinants of health (SDoH) encompass the non-medical social and environmental factors that an individual experiences which have a significant impact on their health. These stressors disproportionately affect socially disadvantaged and minority populations. Pregnancy is a physiologically stressful state that can unmask underlying CVD risk factors and lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Disparities in APOs are particularly pronounced among individuals of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This variation underscores healthcare inequity and access, a failure of the healthcare system. Besides short-term negative effects, APOs are also strongly associated with long-term CVDs. APOs must therefore be identified as a cue for early intervention for the prevention and management of CVD risk factors. This review explores the intricate relationship between maternal morbidity and mortality, SDoH, and cardiovascular health, and the implementation of health policy efforts to reduce the impact of SDoH in this patient population. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive strategies to improve maternal health outcomes.