As a second year PhD student in population health at the College of Health (COH), Aika Aluc believes that maternal health is at the core of healthy communities. Aluc is a researcher and advocate for maternal and child health and is a member of the COH’s second cohort of doctoral students. With extensive experience in research and policy interventions, she has worked domestically and internationally in this space to elevate and support this population.
“Maternal health outcomes are considered a barometer for society’s overall health,” said Aluc. “And so, ensuring that a healthy pregnancy and childbirth isn’t just about one mother’s health; it actually reflects the healthcare system’s performance, community support structures, and social conditions affecting the mother.”
Aluc’s research focuses primarily on the critical postpartum period, examining opportunities to enhance resources, services and policies to support families during this time.
She shares that the United States does not have a federal paid parental leave policy. While some states have created their own paid leave policies, many have not. In states where it is not mandatory, benefits vary greatly from employer to employer. “It’s this web of worrying about household income and household security and taking the time to bond with your newborn,” she said.
“If mothers are dying or suffering in childbirth, it often signals deeper problems in healthcare, access, quality, and equity,” she continued. “When we improve maternal health, we improve family health, and we even improve community well-being. Focusing on mother’s health can drive broader changes to benefit the entire population.”
Aluc is also exploring where the gaps are in these resources. For example, in an area with a maternity care desert — a geographic space with limited or no access to quality maternal healthcare or mental health services — the population can have an increased risk of maternal mortality, morbidity and other complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Further, Aluc shared that these deserts disproportionately affect women of color, rural residents and low-income residents.
She is also examining areas of resilience for the mothers, which could include community resources and support from parents and friends, to help them during the postpartum period.
Aluc is working closely with the College of Health’s Fathima Wakeel, associate professor, department of population health, an expert in the maternal and child health field. Wakeel is one of the first researchers to define the notion of maternal resilience and examine its relationships with stress and negative obstetric outcomes, with a focus on racial and ethnic minorities and low socioeconomic women. Their research aligns well, Aluc shared.
“I am so fortunate to work with Aika because we both have a keen interest in exploring the role of maternal resilience, particularly interpersonal and community supports, in reducing health disparities among minoritized and low-income women,” said Wakeel. “I have been incredibly impressed with Aika’s tireless advocacy efforts aimed at promoting maternal and child health equity here at Lehigh, the broader Lehigh Valley community, and nationally, and I am so excited for her next steps as she focuses on maternal postpartum health.”
In tandem with her academic endeavors, Aluc is also a community advocate and leader for maternal and child health. One year ago, Aluc and Fauzia Saiyed, a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology in the College of Education, formed the Maternal and Child Health Network to bring members of Lehigh University together who share an interest in this space. According to Aluc, the goal is to build bridges with both the university community and Lehigh Valley community, with a focus on community engagement and service, education and learning, and professional development and research.
A recent example of community engagement, Aluc and the Maternal and Child Health Network recently tabled at Lehigh University’s ChangeMakers: The Power to Shape a Sustainable Future event, which explored the work of individuals driving progress toward a healthy planet. At ChangeMakers, she highlighted the connection between maternal health and the climate, sharing how the community and the planet are deeply connected to the well-being of families.
Further, spotlighting the intersection of climate, maternal health and racial equity is integral to the EnviroNatal Equity Week, which took place April 18-21. Each year the week is intentionally situated between Black Maternal Health Week and Earth Day to bridge the gap between Black maternal health and climate action, she said.
