Course Title MSNC 512 – Influencing the Health Care Environment: Policy and Systems

Course Project Racial Inequity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Competency Social Justice and Community Activism

For this project, I was able to research the racial inequity that data suggests exists within neonatal

intensive care units (NICU) across the United States. As part of the project, I researched what the current

research and evidence reveal about racial and ethnic disparities among the infants in the NICU. As a

social determinant of health, racial disparity in care has negative effects on healthcare delivery and patient

care. The literature is abundant in examples of inequitable care. I made sure to focus my project on

solutions and interventions that can target and address this reality. For example, nurse leaders can

promote education on implicit bias and institutional racism to help clinicians fight racism in real-time. By

combatting microaggressions and receiving feedback, we can stay curious and reflect on the impact of

statements made in the clinical setting.

The project examined disparities in access to a specific therapy and how quality of care can be

affected by race. In that vein, the project highlighted how cultural and social factors can serve as drivers

of healthcare disparities. Also, economic disparities can impact access to healthcare resources which can

affect healthcare outcomes in marginalized communities. The implications of racial and economic

disparities in healthcare outcomes for NICU infants emphasize the disproportionate impact of certain

healthcare dynamics on specific groups at risk of being negatively impacted.