Abstract
The basic necessities of survival are generally perceived to be abundantly available and easily accessible in the United States (USA). While accurate for many, the social determinants of health create an uneven experience, especially for women living in poverty or racially segregated areas. For these mothers, food deserts, water contamination, and insecure and substandard housing produce challenges to maternal health. Moreover, the degradation of water and air quality and the rising shortage of housing affect many communities. The citizen response to these problems highlights Americans’ cultural values of practicality and action-orientation. Two case examples of water contamination illustrate these values. The USA does not have the political unity required to ensure every mother with access to basic needs.
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Foster, J.W. (2023). Survival Services for American Mothers. In: Anderson, B.A., Roberts, L.R. (eds) Maternal Health and American Cultural Values. Global Maternal and Child Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-23969-4_12
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