Friday, Jun 13, 2025 • 12 pm to 1 pm

Virtual

Training Sessions

Disparities in Perinatal Health

Abstract

Pregnancy and early parenting can be challenging on their own, but for people who use substances, those challenges are often made much harder by stigma, judgment, and a system that’s not built to support them. We will explore the multifaceted disparities, including those related to health, mental health, race, geography, and access to care. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how these systemic issues influence perinatal outcomes and have the potential to cause further harm when not addressed. Drawing on both clinical evidence and the lived experiences of those directly impacted, this session will reinforce the need for equity-centered, trauma-informed, and compassionate approaches to perinatal care and will provide participants with practical strategies for improving care delivery and fostering environments that support healing and family preservation. Everyone deserves respectful care, support to heal, and the chance to parent with dignity.

Objectives

  • Raise awareness of the often-overlooked disparities that impact pregnant and postpartum individuals who experience substance use, recognizing substance use as a continuum rather than a moral failing and its intersection with structural inequities.
  • Examine the multifaceted barriers, including health, mental health, social, racial, geographic, and systemic disparities, that shape the perinatal experience for people navigating substance use and recovery.
  • Advocate for equitable, evidence-based, and compassionate care by identifying strategies to improve perinatal support systems, shifting away from punitive approaches, and fostering environments that prioritize healing, dignity, and family preservation.

Accreditation

PHYSICIAN (CME)

The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NURSING (CNE)

A maximum of 1.0 nursing contact hours will be awarded. Participants will be able to claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the program.

SOCIAL WORK

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 continuing education credits.

Psychologist (APA)

Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

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