Public Health Challenges and Interventions for Pregnant Women and Children in Low Socioeconomic Areas

Part One – Vulnerable Population

Overview

Pregnant women and children in low-income areas are particularly at risk in many communities, such as where we live. Many of these individuals are impacted more than others by environmental factors, job security, and finances, which reduce their health. When poverty, limited access to healthcare, poor living conditions, and inadequate education exist, they become difficult to address, so targeting public health is needed: Public Health Challenges and Interventions for Pregnant Women and Children in Low Socioeconomic Areas.

Because of generational poverty, families often continue to face health challenges that are hard to overcome. This report analyses the main factors influencing the population’s health and provides practical recommendations to assist them.

Health Determinants Affecting the Population

Social and Economic Environment

In low-income areas, pregnant women and their children are often without enough healthy food, have insecure housing and are unable to get adequate jobs or an education. Such economic and social barriers raise the risk of malnutrition, late prenatal care and outcomes such as preterm births or giving birth to low-weight babies (Marian et al., 2025). Additionally, being brought up in these homes leaves children with little early developmental help, which can result in lasting problems for their bodies and minds. For many women, a lack of reliable childcare keeps them from working and studying, leading to a bigger problem with debt and mental health.

Physical Environment

Substandard housing conditions—characterized by mould, inadequate ventilation, pest infestation, and lack of clean water—pose a direct threat to maternal and child health. Exposure to lead or air pollutants raises the risk of respiratory illnesses and child development problems (Holden et al., 2023). Lack of convenient transportation keeps people from receiving healthcare for pregnant women and their children. What’s more, many communities lack safe outdoor sports or parks, which hinders chances for exercise and leads to a sedentary lifestyle.

Individual Characteristics

Women in these communities often lack health literacy, so they struggle to understand medical information. Additional reasons include young mothers, less education and a high prevalence of gestational diabetes or hypertension (Ningrum et al., 2024). These aspects raise the chance of problems during pregnancy and childbirth. Beliefs and doubts about healthcare may discourage women from looking after their health by seeking advice.

Behaviours

Many women in this population are reported to use tobacco, have difficulties with healthy eating and are not very physically active. Stress, lack of health information, or cultural ideas that discourage using healthcare often prevent these healthy behaviours. Children at these schools usually do not get necessary vaccinations or developmental screening check-ups because their parents are not informed, or it is hard for them to get healthcare (Lakshmi et al., 2023). Identifying behavioural factors affects individuals who should get counseling and society, which must be reached through community activism to maintain supportive changes.

Part Two – Public Health Nurse & Multidimensional Strategies

Role of the Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses need to advocate for and support pregnant women and children in underserved parts of the community. PHNs act as educators, keep things organized for patients and their care team, manage each patient’s case and act as spokespeople for better health policies. They travel to their clients’ homes, assess their surroundings, link them to helpful community services and teach about prenatal care, breastfeeding, child nutrition and effective parenting.

They also cooperate with schools, clinics, and social services to fully support the family. Their inclusive method is essential for handling current health issues and factors that affect health over the long term. Furthermore, PHNs help build the strength of the community by talking with community leaders and encouraging families to be involved in healthy choices.

Multidimensional Strategy 1: Community-Based Prenatal Education and Support Program

This approach emphasizes both biological and cultural information. PHN provides educational sessions for the community, covering health during pregnancy, diet, regular workouts, and labour expectations. Women receive blood pressure, haemoglobin, and BMI tests, along with culturally suitable education. People can also go to local centres and join sessions where everything is translated so everyone can understand.

The program helps people understand the changes in their bodies and health and introduces them to others who are also pregnant. Intervention helps women communicate and receive helpful health tips, improving mother and baby care and promoting healthy community practices (Morris et al., 2020). Transportation vouchers are provided to those attending, and childcare is offered during sessions to invite more people and help them overcome attending difficulties.

Multidimensional Strategy 2: Mobile Maternal-Child Health Clinics

This strategy considers and addresses problems related to psychology and economics. OB-GYN specialists, paediatricians, PHNs and social workers travel to underserved areas using the clinic’s vehicles. Services may involve prenatal care, vaccines for the pregnant mother, care after birth and screening for mood and mental issues.

Along with treating clients, these clinics provide individual sessions to increase self-esteem and make mothers more confident. They also help clients register for Medicaid, WIC, and transportation alternatives. Working closely like this removes obstacles for pregnant women, maintains their health and that of their baby and guarantees that care continues (Gordon et al., 2025). Meeting people in their community and using mobile clinics helps reduce the stigma, discouraging them from seeking help.

Conclusion

Pregnant women and children in poor socioeconomic regions are more at risk because of many different barriers to accessing healthcare. Advocacy, education, and community involvement are central to the task of a public health nurse in creating equal care for all. Culturally sensitive prenatal classes and mobile clinics provided by nurses can improve the health care of members of these families.

Interventions for women and children should always be prioritized in public health to ensure everyone can enjoy their rights. Access and wellness for future generations are supported by the adoption of new policies and the partnership with local communities.

References

Gordon, R. D., Kishi, A., Brown, J. A., Voisin, C., Thomas, N., Riley, S. R., Fareed, N., Bunger, A., Gillespie, S. L., Venkatesh, K. K., Juckett, L., & Brill, S. B. (2025). Rural maternal health interventions: A scoping review and implications for best practices. The Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e70007. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.70007

Holden, K. A., Lee, A. R., Hawcutt, D. B., & Sinha, I. P. (2023). The impact of poor housing and indoor air quality on respiratory health in children. Breathe, 19(2), 230058. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.0058-2023

Lakshmi, R., Romate, J., Rajkumar, E., George, A. J., & Wajid, M. (2023). Factors influencing tobacco use behaviour initiation – From the perspective of the capability, opportunity, motivation- behaviour (COM-B) Model. Heliyon, 9(6), e16385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16385

Marian, M., Pérez, R. L., McClain, A. C., Hurst, S., Reed, E., Barker, K. M., & Lundgren, R. (2025). Nutritional knowledge and practices of low-income women during pregnancy: A qualitative study in two Oaxacan cities. Journal of Health Population and Nutrition, 44(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00776-8

Morris, T., Strömmer, S., Vogel, C., Harvey, N. C., Cooper, C., Inskip, H., Woods-Townsend, K., Baird, J., Barker, M., & Lawrence, W. (2020). Improving pregnant women’s diet and physical activity behaviours: The emergent role of health identity. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-02913-z

Ningrum, E. W., Lusmilasari, L., Huriyati, E., Marthias, T., & Hasanbasri, M. (2024). Improving maternal health literacy among low-income pregnant women: A systematic review. Narra J, 4(2), e886. https://doi.org/10.52225/narra.v4i2.886

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Scenario
You are a new public health nurse working for the Department of Public Health, and you have been asked to create a report on one of the following vulnerable populations in your community: homeless population, ethnic or minority group, elderly, or pregnant woman and children in low socioeconomic areas. The report will provide your department with current information about your community as well as offer interventions for the selected vulnerable population within your community.