Maternal health, mental health and food insecurity remain a growing concern in rural, underserved communities due to a combination of healthcare access barriers, limited resources and socioeconomic challenges. However, many dietitians may not be fully aware of how closely maternal health, mental health and food insecurity are interconnected.

This session will focus on the critical public health issues of maternal health, mental health and food insecurity, particularly within rural and underserved communities. These issues are deeply interconnected, with maternal health complications, which often worsen because of poor nutrition and mental health struggles.

Food insecurity further compounds these challenges by limiting access to nutritious foods, which can negatively impact both maternal and mental health outcomes. The session will explore the current landscape of these public health challenges, highlighting how they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and discussing the barriers to accessing mental health services, and nutritious food in underserved areas.

Attendees will learn about innovative community-based interventions, strategies for integrating mental health and nutrition support into maternal health care, and the importance of a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to tackling these complex issues. The session aims to inspire dietitians in community public health to collaborate and implement solutions that address these challenges comprehensively.

Planned with the Public Health/Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group