Skip Navigation

Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

Sign up for MCHalert eNewsletter

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 (212 total).

Campaign to Save our Mothers and Babies. n.d.. 10 strategies for Illinois to have healthy babies. Chicago, IL: Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition,

Annotation: This fact sheet lists and describes ten strategies that can help increase the health of babies in the state of Illinois. Increasing access to family planning education and affordable health care across the life span; ensuring the quality of prenatal and general healthcare; offering maternity/paternity paid leave; developing comprehensive systems of care; maintaining effective and efficient health data systems; ending discriminatory policies and practices; and advocating for community development improvements are among the strategies outlined.

Keywords: Advocacy, Health promotion, Illinois, Infant health, Prevention programs, State programs

U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau. 2025. Healthy Start. Rockville, MD: Health Resources and Services Administration,

Annotation: This website provides information about the Healthy Start program, administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), that works to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy in high-risk communities. The program focuses on enhancing mothers' health, preventing infant death, and eliminating health disparities through comprehensive, personalized care. The website offers several key resources, including a downloadable Healthy Start Fact Sheet providing program overview, links to evaluation reports showing program effectiveness, information about the Healthy Start EPIC Center for training and technical assistance, and access to the CAREWare database system for data management. Visitors can also find a program locator tool to find local Healthy Start sites, details about grant awards from 2019-2024 (including specific community-based doula initiatives), and contact information for additional questions. The site highlights program accomplishments, showing that Healthy Start participants receive early prenatal care, well-woman visits, and depression/interpersonal violence screenings at higher rates than national averages. The website also explains the structure of the Community Consortium approach and describes the Alumni Peer Navigator initiative that employs former program participants to help current families access needed services.

Keywords: Health care disparities, Health promotion, Healthy Start, Infant health services, Infant mortality, Maternal health services, Perinatal care, Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2023. Take care of your child's teeth. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2 pp.

Annotation: This resource provides an overview of steps parents can take to prevent tooth decay in their children, including brushing with fluoride toothpaste, other ways to use fluoride and fluoride supplements, giving children healthy food and drinks, dental checkups, and sealants. A companion resource on adult tooth and gum care is also available from the website.

Keywords: Child health, Dental caries, Dental hygiene, Disease prevention, Health promotion, Infant health, Oral health, Oral health care, Young children

American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2022-. Caring for our children: National health and safety performance standards—Guidelines for early care and education programs. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; Washington, DC: American Public Health Association; Denver, CO: National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education, 1 resource.

Annotation: This set of national health and safety standards provides information about high-quality health and safety practices and policies for early care and education settings. Topics include staffing; program activities for healthy development; health promotion and protection; nutrition and food service; facilities, supplies, equipment, and environmental health; play areas, playgrounds, and transportation; infectious diseases; children with special health care needs and disabilities; policies; and licensing and community action. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Administrative policy, Child care centers, Child development centers, Child health, Child safety, Children, Early childhood development, Health promotion, Infant health, Infants, Model programs, Standards, Young children

University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, California Childcare Health Program. 2022. Safe sleep: Reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (rev ed). San Francisco, CA: University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, California Childcare Health Program, 1 p. (Fact sheet for families)

Annotation: This fact sheet for families lists several steps that caregivers and parents can follow to minimize the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The steps include guidance about sleep environment, smoking, breastfeeding, pacifier use, visiting the doctor, and tummy time.

Keywords: Breastfeeding promotion, Consumer education materials, Infant death, Infant development, Infant health, Non English language materials, Prevention, SIDS, Safety, Sleep position

United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. 2022. High 5 for mom and baby. Hutchinson, KS: United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, multiple items.

Annotation: This resource provides information on the importance of breastfeeding and the role of hospitals in breastfeeding success. It describes a program to encourage adoption of five evidence based maternity care practices that have been found to increase breastfeeding rates. Contents include current breastfeeding rates in Kansas, participating hospitals, endorsements, a hospital application agreement and form, and program logos and branding materials.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Evidence based medicine, Health promotion, Hospital accreditation, Infant health, Kansas, Maternal health, Model programs, State programs

National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety. 2021–. Brush up on oral health. Washington, DC: National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety, multiple items.

Annotation: This series of tip sheets is intended for Head Start staff to use to support the oral health of children and pregnant people enrolled in Head Start programs and their families. The tip sheets include up-to-date practices and practical tips to promote good oral health. Health and social service professionals interested in improving the oral health of children and pregnant people enrolled in Head Start and their families may also find Brush Up on Oral Health tip sheets helpful.

Keywords: Head Start, Health promotion, Infants, Nutrition, Oral health, Oral health care, Oral hygiene, Pregnant women, Resources for professionals, Spanish language materials, Special health care needs, Tobacco, Young children

National WIC Association. 2021. Oral health needs in the WIC program. Washington, DC: National WIC Association, 5 pp.

Annotation: This paper affirms the National WIC Association’s support of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC’s) commitment to promote oral health to program participants. Topics include oral health in young children, oral health in women, and racial and ethnic disparities in oral health. For each topic, ways that WIC staff can help are presented. Promoting oral health in the WIC program is also discussed.

Keywords: Ethnic factors, Federal programs, Health promotion, Infant health, Low income groups, Nutrition programs, Oral health, Racial factors, Women's health, Young children

American Academy of Pediatrics, Campaign for Dental Health. 2020-. [Healthy teeth across generations: Tip sheets for all ages]. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, Campaign for Dental Health, multiple items.

Annotation: This series includes four handouts: (1) Keeping Baby Teeth Healthy, (2) Protecting Young People’s Teeth, (3) Protecting Your Teeth for a Lifetime, and (4) Protect Your Teeth Later in Life. Each tip sheet provides information about how to keep the mouth and teeth healthy during different life stages (e.g., pregnancy,infancy, childhood, adolescence, later years) as well as for a lifetime. The handouts are available in English and in Spanish.

Keywords: Adolescent health, Consumer education materials, Health promotion, Infant health, Older adults, Oral health, Pregnancy, Prevention, Spanish language materials

Barzel R, Holt K, eds. 2020. Nutrition and oral health: A resource guide. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, 19 pp.

Annotation: This resource guide is designed to assist health professionals and parents in promoting good eating and oral health practices to help prevent oral disease in pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents. The guide provides descriptions of materials on data and surveillance, policy, professional education and training, and public education. Descriptions of and contact information for relevant organizations is also included. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Adolescent health, Disease prevention, Health promotion, Infant health, Nutrition, Oral health, Pregnant women

American Academy of Pediatrics, Bright Futures™. 2019. Bright Futures™ preventive services quality improvement measures (upd. ed.). Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, Bright Futures™, 2 pp. (Bright Futures implementation tip sheet)

Annotation: This document provides information about quality improvement (QI) measures that reflect components of the Bright Futures™ guidelines. The list combines nationally endorsed measures and measures tested in, or adopted from, previous QI preventive services projects. Contents include measures for infancy and early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence, and office-based system measures for both groups. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Adolescent health, Child development, Child health, Health promotion, Infant health, Measures, Organizational change, Pediatric care, Preventive health services, Program improvement, Quality assurance, Service delivery systems

Holt K, Lowe B. 2019. Checklist for child care staff: Best practices for good oral health . Itasca, IL: National Center for Early Childhood Health and Wellness,

Annotation: This checklist provides items that child care program staff can check to reflect what they are doing to promote good oral health for infants, toddlers, and young children. Items not checked can serve as goals to help staff work toward improving their practices related to foods and drinks and to oral hygiene. The checklist is divided into three main categories: infants from birth to age 1, toddlers ages 1–3, and young children ages 3–5. Within each category, items to check are listed in two subcategories: foods and drinks and oral hygiene. The checklist is written in simple language and is available in English and in Spanish. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Child care, Guidelines, Health promotion, Infants, Nutrition, Oral health, Oral hygiene, Spanish language materials, Young children

Hagan JF Jr. 2019. Making Bright Futures work: How evidence, the periodicity schedule, and the Bright Futures guidelines impact practice. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 video (58 min.).

Annotation: This webinar reviews new clinical content in the Bright Futures Guidelines and the associated Periodicity Schedule, and discusses how to use evidence to decide on content for your practice's health supervision visits and how to identify strategies, tools, and resources to maximize efficiency for health promotion and preventive services.

Keywords: Adolescent development, Adolescent health, Anticipatory guidance, Child development, Child health, Communities, Disease prevention, Emotional development, Evidence based medicine, Families, Guidelines, Health promotion, Health screening, Health supervision, Infant development, Infant health, Injury prevention, Mental health, Nutrition, Oral health, Pediatric care, Perinatal health, Physical activity, Preventive health services, Protective factors, Psychosocial development, Safety, Sexual health, Standards, Videos, Weight management

Healthy Eating Research. 2019. Healthy beverage consumption in early childhood: Recommendations from key national health and nutrition organizations--Consensus statement. Durham, NC: Healthy Eating Research, 15 pp. (Healthy eating research)

Annotation: This consensus statement provides evidence-based recommendations on beverage consumption for infants and children from birth to age 5. The document includes definitions of beverage types and describes the process for developing the recommendations. It offers information about beverages that are best for infants and children, beverages to limit, and beverages to avoid. For each beverage, recommended amounts to give infants and children of different ages are provided.

Keywords: Fluid intake, Health promotion, Infant health, Nutrition, Young children

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2018. Bright Futures: An essential resource for advancing the Title V national performance measures. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 10 pp.

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018. Bright Futures tool and resource kit (2nd ed.). Itasca, IL: Amercan Academy of Pediatrics,

Annotation: This companion to the most current edition of the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents, the national standard for well-child care provides updated forms and materials relate to preventive health supervision and health screening for infants, children, and adolescents. These include pre-visit questionnaires, visit documentation forms, parent and patient handouts, supplemental education handouts, and medical screening reference tables.

Keywords: Adolescent development, Adolescent health, Anticipatory guidance, Child development, Child health, Communities, Disease prevention, Emotional development, Families, Guidelines, Health promotion, Health screening, Health supervision, Infant development, Infant health, Injury prevention, Mental health, Nutrition, Oral health, Pediatric care, Perinatal health, Physical activity, Preventive health services, Professional resources, Protective factors, Psychosocial development, Safety, Sexual health, Standards, Weight management

Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health. 2017. Bright Smiles for Babies: Virginia Oral Health Partnership for Children. Richmond, VA: Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health, 1 v.

Annotation: This manual contains information and resources to promote oral health in pregnant women and infants and children from birth to age 3 by providing oral health screenings and risk assessment, education, fluoride varnish applications, and referrals. Contents include an oral health protocol; resources about assessment and fluoride varnish; anticipatory guidance; parent handouts in English and in Spanish; and information about oral health in pregnant women and children, including children with special health care needs. Information about Medicaid reimbursement, resources for supplies, professional policies and guidelines, and forms is also included.

Keywords: Disease prevention, Fluorides, Health promotion, Infants, Oral health, Pregnancy, Pregnant women, Prevention programs, Resources for professionals, Risk assessment, Screening, Service integration, Special health care needs, State programs, Training materials, Virginia, Young children

Hagan JF, Shaw JS, Duncan PM, eds. 2017. Bright Futures: Guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents–Pocket guide (4th ed.). Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 123 pp.

Annotation: These guidelines provide background information and recommendations for promoting the healthy development of infants, children, and adolescents from birth to age 21, as well as standards for health supervision visits. Topics include lifelong health for families and communities, family support, health for children and adolescents with special health care needs, development, mental health, weight, nutrition, physical activity, oral health, use of social media, and safety and injury prevention. A companion pocket guide is also available. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Adolescent development, Adolescent health, Anticipatory guidance, Child development, Child health, Communities, Disease prevention, Emotional development, Families, Guidelines, Health promotion, Health screening, Health supervision, Infant development, Infant health, Injury prevention, Mental health, Nutrition, Oral health, Pediatric care, Perinatal health, Physical activity, Preventive health services, Protective factors, Psychosocial development, Safety, Sexual health, Standards, Weight management

Vermont Department of Health, Office of Oral Health. 2017. Dear colleague [letter]. Burlington, VT: Vermont Department of Health, Office of Oral Health, 2 pp.

Annotation: This letter for health professionals provides information on best practices for oral health care for pregnant women and their young children. Topics include the importance of oral health care during pregnancy, the impact of tooth decay during pregnancy and early childhood, and helping women with low incomes access oral health care during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Additional topics include delivering oral health messages during pregnancy, implementing oral health interventions as part of well-child care, and providing comprehensive oral health care during pregnancy and beginning at age 1.

Keywords: Comprehensive health care, Dental caries, Early childhood, Health behavior, Health care delivery, Health promotion, Infants, Low income groups, Models, Oral health, Oral health care, Pregnancy, Pregnant women, Prenatal care, Primary care, Reimbursement, Young children

Vermont Department of Health, Office of Oral Health. 2017. Protect your baby's smile & health before and after birth. Burlington, VT: Vermont Department of Health, Office of Oral Health, 2 pp.

Annotation: This brochure for pregnant women provides information about oral health care during and after pregnancy and throughout life. It also offers information about tooth decay and steps that women can take to protect their infant’s oral health. Topics include the safety and importance of oral health care during pregnancy, obtaining oral examinations early, and taking care of oral health at home. Information about accessing oral health care is also included.

Keywords: Access to health care, Consumer education materials, Dental caries, Disease prevention, Early childhood, Health behavior, Health promotion, Infants, Life course, Low income groups, Oral health, Pregnancy, Pregnant women, Preventive health services, Young children
    Next Page »

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.