As we all know nearly two years into the pandemic, COVID-19 is a viral, respiratory disease easily transmitted through direct contact via respiratory droplets (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2021b). It has become a global pandemic that has had a large effect in the local community home to the University of Florida - Alachua County. Unfortunately, there are many risk factors put individuals at increased risk for severe COVID-19. One risk factor that many people are not aware of is pregnancy (CDC, 2021c). It has been found that pregnant and recently pregnant individuals are more likely to have severe COVID-19 (CDC, 2021). It has been found that pregnant individuals are at increased risk of emotional instability and stress as well as anxiety and depression (Nomura et al., 2021; Lopez-Morales et al., 2021)
Due to these staggering statistics, it is essential that a multi-level public health resilience-building intervention that focuses on the effects of COVID-19 on perinatal individuals in Alachua County, Florida be implemented. At the individual level, interventions would include a healthy diet and exercise course, coping and mental health skills training, and parenting course to build self-efficacy and esteem. There are many evidence-based resources that will be utilized to create an effective curriculum. At the relationship level, interventions would include a family-centered, evidence-based, trauma-informed program that will include mentorship by experienced parents, a relationship and family skills course for family of the pregnant individual, as well as a group prenatal mental wellness course. At the community level, interventions will include access to prenatal care and mental health care for pregnant women, COVID-19 safe transportation, and access to a COVID-19 safe wellness facility in the community. At the societal level, the interventions will include perinatal mental health awareness initiatives including the attached infographic and the promotion of legislation to expand maternity and paternity leave.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a vulnerable time for all individuals but poses unique challenges for perinatal women. Many perinatal individuals are fearful with inadequate resilience-building resources at this time.
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