1. Postpartum Depression
in African Americans in Comparison to the General
Massachusetts Public
By: Karen Cevallos, Narda Bondah
UMass Amherst, Quinsigamond Community College

2. Introduction
“Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects parents especially women after childbirth.”
PPD patients experience
Extreme sadness
Anxiety
Exhaustion
Change in appetite

3. Causes of PPD Effects of PPD
Drop in hormonal levels causes chemical changes in the brain
Sleep deprivation after childbirth
History of depression
Effects of PPD
Interrupts parent-child bonding
Infant development.
Suicide Ideation
Maternal Mortality 3

4. Mortality due to Postpartum Depression
Over 2 years Mental Health Diagnoses has increased by 13%
About 50% which were depressive disorders.
17% are PPD
Courtesy of Mass Department of Public Health

5. Health Disparity
“The differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States.”
These population groups may include ethnicity, age, geographical location and sexual orientation. 5 4

6. Proof of Disparity in African Americans.
1 in 7 mothers experience postpartum depression
10% of mothers in MA have PPD
20% of which are African Americans
Courtesy of 2017 MA State Health Assessment.

7. Postpartum Depression in Fathers
1 in 10 fathers experience PPD
24% - 50% of men with PPD have partners with PPD.
Men are likely to underreport PPD due to cultural concepts of masculinity.

8. Why the prevalence in African Americans?
Socioeconomic status
Poor education
Low income
Poor healthcare access
Inadequate prenatal care
Relationship status 8

9. Courtesy of 2017 MA State Health Assessment.
Education
Just 23.4% of African Americans attain higher education
Most of them dropout of schools.
This elongates the income gap with the general public
Courtesy of 2017 MA State Health Assessment. 9

10. Courtesy of 2017 MA State Health Assessment.
Low Income
1 in 5 African Americans are below the federal state poverty line (22%)
Financial hardships can lead to insufficient health care.
Courtesy of PRAMS 10
Courtesy of 2017 MA State Health Assessment.

11. Poor Healthcare Access
Amenable mortality is death that could have been prevented with medical intervention.
Blacks have 84% amenable death rate.
This signals poor access to quality healthcare.
Let me know if you know this is what you are talking about by any chance!
Courtesy of Mass State Health Assessment 11

12. Correlation Between Prenatal Care & PPD
Trends in Adequacy of Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity, Massachusetts,
African American women that receive prenatal care have reduced by 6%
Inadequate access to healthcare limits resources available for sound prenatal and postnatal health.
Courtesy of 2017 MA State Health Assessment.
Courtesy Mass State Health Assessment 12

13. Relationship Status
48% of African American women have never been married
13% have been divorced and 4% are separated
Non-married women are twice as likely to get PPD as their married counterparts. (PRAMS)
Courtesy of Black Demographics 13

14. Trends in Postpartum Depression
Experts recommend a universal screening of postpartum depression
PPD is twice as common as gestational diabetes. (MCPAP)
40% of the population reports PPD symptoms.
72.6% do not seek help
Courtesy of PRAMS

15. Prevention/Treatments
Free Early Prevention Programs such as Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms (MCPAP)
Postpartum Special Legislative Commission
Report symptoms to physician
Seek couple therapy
Eat healthy (vitamins and minerals)
Get enough rest after childbirth
Support parents with PPD

16. Summary PPD can affect both men and women
African Americans have the highest prevalence of PPD in comparison to the general population
Low educational level, low income, lack of access to health care and marital status are contributing factors.
There are great accessible resources to help families in need; which includes therapy, support groups, and change of lifestyle 16

17. Works Cited
“Postpartum Depression.” Massachusetts Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Systems 2007/2008 Surveillance Report.
“Postpartum Depression Among Women in Massachusetts.” MA PRAMS Fact Sheets vol. 1, no
“Postpartum Depression.” Massachusetts State Health Assessment.” 2017
"An Overview of Postpartum Depression." PostpartumDepression.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2018
"Marriage in Black America." BlackDemographics.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2018.
“Documented Mental Health Diagnosis in Pregnancy Related Deaths.” Massachusetts Department of Public of Health
“New study reveals disturbing PPD statistics.” Seleni.
“About the Special Legislative Commission on Postpartum Depression” Mass.gov
“Massachusetts Community Health Insurance Plan”
“Journal for Family and Mental Health” UMASS Medical School