Public Health Critical Race Praxis in Maternal Health Occupational Therapy: A Framework for Race-Conscious Research and Intervention.

Abstract

This column explores the integration of the Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP) framework into maternal health occupational therapy to address racial disparities and enhance health care outcomes. The PHCRP framework provides a race-conscious methodology for examining the intersection of race, health, and systemic inequities, making its application in occupational therapy research and practice essential amid the U.S. maternal health crisis, which disproportionately affects Black birthing individuals. We highlight occupational therapy practitioners' responsibilities, emphasizing race-conscious research, culturally informed and responsive interventions, and advocacy for equitable maternal health care policies. By leveraging the PHCRP framework, occupational therapy can take a transformative approach to address the root causes of maternal health disparities, dismantle systemic health care barriers, and improve Black maternal health outcomes. This column intentionally adopts inclusive language to recognize the diverse identities of those who give birth. We use terms such as birthing individuals and mothering to acknowledge the diverse identities, pregnancy, and childbirth experiences of all birthing individuals. Research indicates that these individuals navigate distinct experiences and may prefer gender-affirming terminology, such as transman, nonbinary, or parent, to mitigate gender dysphoria (Kukura, 2022). This inclusive approach is essential for promoting equitable, culturally affirming care because it acknowledges the additional layers of bias, discrimination, and racial inequity often experienced by non-female-identified birthing individuals. Through this lens, we aim to center diverse experiences and advocate for an occupational therapy practice that actively challenges systemic inequities and fosters equitable maternal health care. Positionality Statement (Jordan C. W. Major): As a biracial Black-White, English-speaking, cisgender, heterosexual female with an invisible disability who was born and raised in the United States, my intersectional identity profoundly shapes my perspective, allowing me to uniquely address the nuances of racial, health, and maternal issues in health care. I am an occupational therapy practitioner currently pursuing a PhD in rehabilitation science, studying the impact of type 1 diabetes on Black maternal health. My lived experiences and academic background afford me the opportunity to center the experiences of Black mothers and birthing people through a race-conscious lens and call on my occupational therapy colleagues to do the same.