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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Search Results: MCHLine

Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.

Displaying records 1 through 20 (521 total).

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. n.d.. Improving access to maternal health care in rural communities. Baltimore, MD: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 62 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief provides background information on rural healthcare access and focuses attention on the need for national, state, and community-based organizations to collaborate on developing an action plan to improve access to maternal health care and improve outcomes for rural women and their babies. It addresses the challenges that rural women face before, during, and after pregnancy and highlights promising approaches and opportunities to improve maternal health care in rural communities. Six case studies address several factors contributing to problems accessing maternal health care in rural communities, including workforce shortages and access to care challenges associated with social determinants of health. They illustrate efforts to stabilize rural hospital obstetrical services, regionalization and coordination of care, quality improvement initiatives, training and guideline development, provider recruitment and retention strategies, and expansion of care models

Keywords: Barriers, Case studies, Health care access, Health equity, Maternal health, Rural health, Rural population, Statistics

Handler A, Johnson K, Farrell N. 2026. The role of the Title V MCH Services Block Grant in improving maternal and infant health. Chicago, IL: University of Illinois , 43 pp.

Annotation: This report examines the role of the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant in addressing the maternal and infant health crisis and related racial and ethnic disparities in the United States. It analyzes fiscal investments for pregnant women and infants across 59 states and territories, comparing federal and non-federal funding ratios and the extent of state matching contributions. The document includes a substantial discussion of methodology and findings linking state funding levels to maternal and infant mortality rates. Recommendations for federal and state-level policy changes are provided, such as designating specific funding percentages for the pregnant and infant population and adopting a maternal and infant health performance measure bundle. Appendices include substantial tables detailing state-specific funding percentages and mortality data.

Keywords: Data, Funding, Infant health, Infant mortality, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Measures, Policy, Policy development, Social Security, Title V, State MCH programs, Statistics, Title V programs

Commonwealth Fund. 2025. How Medicaid helps your state . New York, NY: Commonwealth Fund,

Annotation: This interactive website presents an overview of how Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide coverage across the United States. It offers state-specific fact sheets showing enrollment data, federal support, and the impact of Medicaid on different populations. The website features a color-coded map displaying Medicaid and CHIP enrollment per 1,000 state residents ages 0-64, allowing users to click on individual states to access detailed information. Key topics covered include Medicaid's role as the largest health insurer in the U.S., its coverage of various health services, evidence of improved health outcomes, and its financial importance to healthcare providers in both rural and urban areas. State fact sheets like Virginia's provide specific enrollment statistics, federal funding information, and data on how Medicaid serves children, adults, rural communities, and individuals with mental health needs.

Keywords: Child health, Data, Enrollment, Maternal health, Medicaid, State aid, State health insurance programs, Statistics

Pan American Health Organization. 2025. Leading causes of death and disease burden in the Americas. Washington, DC: Pan American Health Organization, 112

Maven Clinic . 2025. Maven’s state of women’s & family health benefits: How rising costs and evolving needs are reshaping workplace benefits . New York, NY: Maven Clinic, 35 pp.

Annotation: This report presents findings on the state of women's and family health benefits in the workplace based on two surveys conducted in October-November 2024. It addresses challenges facing employees and employers, including rising healthcare costs, burnout among working parents, and increased anxiety around reproductive health. The report highlights how companies are responding through expanded benefits, with 69% planning to increase family health benefits vendors in the coming years. It discusses the benefits of offering comprehensive women's and family health support, including improved employee retention and reduced healthcare costs. The report includes specific statistics on employer and employee priorities, testimonials from benefits leaders, and guidance for designing effective family benefits programs. Sections cover topics such as fertility support, parenting challenges, men's reproductive health, and the role of digital health solutions in improving outcomes.

Keywords: Employer health costs, Family support services, Health Benefits Plans, Employee, Insurance benefits, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Reproductive health services, Statistics, Surveys, Trends, Women's health, Workplace health promotion

Pedersen S, Cohen A, Lally H, Ramos C, Hafner M. 2025. State Medicaid coverage of evidence-based perinatal services varies widely. Arlington, VA: Health Research and Policy Center, 14 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief analyzes state Medicaid coverage of evidence-based perinatal services that can improve maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly during the postpartum period. The document examines coverage across four categories of services including alternative models of care delivery, whole-person wraparound care, mental and behavioral health support, and lactation support beyond the hospital. It finds wide variation in Medicaid coverage of these evidence-based perinatal services across states, with only 11 states requiring and reimbursing maternal depression screening during well-child visits and significant differences between Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states. The analysis emphasizes that despite growing recognition of postpartum care importance, state variation in Medicaid coverage likely influences maternal health outcomes and worsens place-based disparities.

Keywords: Evidence based medicine, Health policy, Medicaid, Perinatal care, Postartum care, Reimbursement, State MCH programs, Statistics

Beltrán-Aguilar E, Lin M, Wei L, Thornton-Evans G, Li CH, Espinoza L. 2024. Oral health surveillance report: Dental caries, tooth retention, and edentulism, United States—2017–March 2020. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Oral Health, 24 pp.

Gunja M et al. 2024. Insights into the U.S. maternal mortality crisis: An international comparison. New York, NY: Commonwealth Fund,

Annotation: This report examines international maternal mortality data from 2022, comparing rates across high-income countries with particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities in the United States. It presents data on the timing of pregnancy-related deaths, showing that 65% occur during the postpartum period, and analyzes healthcare workforce capacity by comparing the number of obstetrician-gynecologists and midwives per 1,000 live births across countries. The report also compares federally mandated paid maternity, parental, and home care leave policies among high-income nations, highlighting significant disparities in access to care and support services.

Keywords: Data, International health, Maternal mortality, Public policy, Statistics, Trends

Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center . 2024. Community-based doula policies across states. Nashville, TN: Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center ,

Annotation: This policy snapshot examines community-based doula policies across states as part of the 2024 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, identifying doulas as one of 12 evidence-based policies that impact the prenatal-to-3 system of care. The document explains that community-based doulas are trained social service professionals who provide non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support to expectant parents from pregnancy through the postpartum period, and when integrated into larger support systems can improve child health outcomes, parenting behaviors, and birth outcomes. It identifies two key policy levers for states: expanding access through Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of doula services, and bolstering workforce sustainability through financial support for training and development. The snapshot shows which states cover and reimburse community-based doula services under Medicaid and which states provide financial support for doula training.

Keywords: Access to health care, Community based services, Doulas, Medicaid, Policy development, Reimbursement, State policies, Statistics, Work force, trends

Children's Defense Fund. 2023. The state of America's children. Washington, DC: Children's Defense Fund, irregular.

Annotation: This series of reports is a compilation and analysis of national and U.S. state-by-state data on child population, child poverty, family structure, family income, housing and homelessness, hunger and nutrition, health, early childhood, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and gun violence. Changes in key child and national well-being indicators are included.

Keywords: Child health, Child nutrition, Child welfare, Data, Early childhood development, Education, Ethnic groups, Family characteristics, Gun violence, High risk groups, Population surveillance, Poverty, Statistics, Trends

Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. 2023. Medicaid access in brief: Children and youth with special health care needs . Washington, DC: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, 14 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief uses data from the 2018 and 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) to examine differences in health status, access to care, referrals, needed care, and the cost of care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) covered by Medicaid with those covered by private insurance and those without insurance. Included are selected demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of CYSHCN (Ages 0-17); their health status, use of care, and quality of care according to insurance status; and the percentage of CYSHCN in each state and the source of their health insurance coverage (Medicaid, private only, or both).

Keywords: Access to care, Adolescents with special health care needs, Children with special health care needs, Costs, Data, Health status, Medicaid, Statistics

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. 2023. Advance data collection, standardization, harmonization, transparency,research, and analysis. Chapel Hill, NC: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center, 13 pp. (White House blueprint evidence to action brief )

Annotation: This brief highlights Goal 3 of the White House blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, which is to advance data collection, standardization, harmonization, transparency, research, and analysis. The brief outlines the need to mprove data collection by enhancing MMRC (Maternal Mortality and Review Committee) data to inform maternal health interventions; bolster research and build the next generation of maternal health researchers; and better understand conditions that impact pregnancy. Evidence-informed strategies for improvement, criteria for states to consider when developing strategies, and additional resources are included. Statistics indicate which states are funded to enhance maternal mortality review and surveillance; the percentage of epidemiologists employed at the state and jurisdiction levels by program area; and the states that participate in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

Keywords: Data collection, Initiatives, Maternal health, Monitoring, Population surveillance, Risk assessment, Statistics

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. 2023. Expand and diversify the perinatal workforce. Chapel Hill, NC: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center, 14 pp. (White House blueprint evidence to action briefs )

Annotation: This action brief describes the need to expand and diversify the perinatal workforce to meet the nation's health care needs. Compounding the limited access to maternal health care professionals, the brief highlights the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the workforce and recommends increasing the number of nurses, health aids, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers to help bridge the gap. Statistics on maternity care desserts and employment of obstetricians and gynecologists by state are included The brief also describes the numerous factors that influence the lack of maternal health care practitioners in the U.S. and includes a list of innovative projects and programs aimed at addressing the issue.

Keywords: Access to care, Barriers, Healtah equity, Initiatives, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Statistics, Work force

Allen C; Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 2023. The intersection of quality and equity. Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health , (AIM for Safer Birth Podcast Series)

Annotation: In this podcast episode, host Christie Allen and Dr. Gillispie-Bell discuss the integration of equity and quality when addressing severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States with a data-driven approach. Learn how the healthcare landscape has transformed to encompass not just clinical excellence, but also inclusive care that honors each individual's unique experiences and values. Discover the journey from recognizing racial and ethnic disparities to crafting a comprehensive approach that combines respectful, equitable, and supportive care. This episode is part of the AIM for Safer Birth series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Keywords: Cultural sensitivity, Data, Health care disparities, Health equity, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Quality improvement, statistics

Bamel D, Johnson M, Renton M. 2023. Reducing inequalities in postpartum maternal morbidity and mortality. Boston, MA: Institute for Healthcare Improvement ,

Annotation: This article discusses the postpartum period as an opportunity for preventing maternal harm and death while improving health equity. It presents findings from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 90-day Innovation cycle identifying hospital interventions to improve postpartum care, particularly for Black women who experience 3.5 times higher maternal mortality rates than white women. The article outlines four key intervention areas: reducing variability in discharge education, offering implicit bias training, forming strategic partnerships, and promoting continuity of care across departments. The process map diagram visually represents the Innovation Team's research findings, highlighting current challenges and opportunities for improvement in postpartum care pathways. The article describes issues in discharge processes, post-birth warning signs, follow-up care models, and patient-centered design. It concludes with information about a Learning Community initiative with five birthing hospitals that began in January 2023, funded by Merck for Mothers.

Keywords: Quality improvement, Blacks, Health care disparities, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Models, Postpartum care, Prevention, Statistics

Children's Safety Network. 2022. Injury prevention: What works?—A summary of cost-outcome analysis for injury prevention programs (2022 update). Newton, MA: Children's Safety Network Economics and Data Analysis Resource Center; Calverton, MD: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 34 pp.

Annotation: This report presents information on methods for conducting cost-outcome analysis for a number of child, adolescent, and adult injury prevention and intervention programs, followed by data and analysis for specific program types. Topics include motor vehicle and pedestrian safety intervention, impaired driving and pedestrian intervention, open-flame and burn prevention, violence prevention, substance abuse intervention, and health services and miscellaneous injury prevention. Data tables, a glossary, and references are provided.

Keywords: Adolescents, Adults, Burn prevention, Children, Cost benefit analysis, Impaired driving, Injury prevention, Motor vehicle safety, Pedestrians, Prevention programs, Preventive health services, Statistics, Substance abuse treatment, Violence prevention

March of Dimes. 2022. Nowhere to go: Maternity care deserts across the U.S.. White Plains, NY: March of Dimes, 36 pp.

Annotation: This report builds upon the 2022 report and continues to identify counties where a woman’s access to maternity health services may be limited or absent. It describes policy solutions and actions; gives summary data about maternity care deserts with a map showing each county in the U.S. and its level of access to maternity care; characteristics of maternity care deserts; information about and maps of hospitals, birth centers, providers, midwives and doulas; health insurance coverage; perinatal regionalization and risk-appropriate levels of care; and the covid-19 pandemic and access to maternity care.

Keywords: Access to care, Infant health, Maternal health, Perinatal health, Pregnant women, State surveys, Statistics

U.S. Government Accountability Office . 2022. Maternal health: Outcomes worsened and disparities persisted during the pandemic . Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office , 32 pp.

Annotation: This report to Congress describes 1) available federal data and what it reveals about maternal and neonatal outcomes and disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2) efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the pandemic to address maternal health outcomes and disparities. The data is from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics’ (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System and its Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a state-level surveillance system of survey-based data on maternal behaviors, attitudes, and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy.

Keywords: Data, Ethnic factors, Federal initiatives , Infectious diseases, Low birthweight, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Neonatal morbidity, Prenancy complications, Preterm birth, Racial factors, Statistics, Virus diseases

Jabbarpour Y, Greiner A, Jetty A, Kempski A, Kamerow D, Walter G, Sibel J. 2022. Relationships matter: How usual is usual source of (primary) care? . Washington, DC: Primary Care Collaborative , 56 pp.

Annotation: This evidence report emphasizes the importance of having a usual source of primary care and lays out strategies for public and private payers to support such patient/provider relationships. In its review of the literature, the report summarizes the types of usual source of care and trends over time across ages, races/ethnicities, income level, region, and insurance type. Potential solutions to increase the percent of children and adults who have a usual source of primary care include payment reform, changes in benefit design, and workforce diversity.

Keywords: Age factors, Economic factors, Ethnic factors, Geographic regions, Health insurance, Literature reviews, Primary care, Racial factors, Statistics, Trends.

Eggen M, Stanev N, Creel L. 2022. Maternal mortality in Kentucky . Louisville, KY: University Louisville, Commonwealth Institute of Kentucky,

Annotation: This issue brief describes maternal mortality in Kentucky, where the rate (40.8 per 100,000 live births in 2018) significantly exceeds the national average. The document examines definitions and measurement of maternal mortality, explores root causes including substance use and racial disparities, and discusses social determinants of health that contribute to maternal deaths. It details Kentucky's recent initiatives to address the problem, including the establishment of the Kentucky Maternal Mortality Review Committee in 2018, the Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative in 2019, and participation in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health in 2021. The brief outlines legislative efforts to address maternal mortality and provides recommendations for improving maternal health in the Commonwealth, including investing in data collection and analysis capacity, exploring social determinants of maternal mortality, and broadly disseminating research findings to stakeholders. It emphasizes that 78% of maternal deaths in Kentucky were identified as preventable, compared to 60% at the national level.

Keywords: , Data, Kentucky, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Prevention, Quality improvement, State initiatives, Statistics
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The MCH Library is one of six special collections at Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, private, university, state, and federal funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Georgetown University or the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.