Survey shows gaps in knowledge about maternal health

Medical Xpress August 1, 2023
By Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Most people know it isn’t safe to smoke or drink alcohol while pregnant, and most know that how well a pregnant person takes care of their health affects the health of their baby. But do they know what vaccines are recommended for pregnant people by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

While much of the public is familiar with some information about staying healthy during pregnancy and having a healthy baby, there are substantial gaps in knowledge about maternal health, according to new survey data from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania.

The findings come amid a maternal health crisis in the United States, which has the highest maternal mortality rate of...