Search Results: MCHLine

Annotation: This web page features an interview with Dr. Tina Cheng regarding the evolution of the MCH life course health development framework and its application in understanding how early-life experiences and intergenerational factors shape adult health. It emphasizes the framework’s alignment with pediatrics, highlighting the significance of preconception and prenatal influences, social determinants, and the interaction between genetics and the environment. The interview, originally conducted in 2011, highlights the need for longitudinal research and "prospective medicine" to shift the medical focus from individual treatment to population-based prevention and resilience. A modern reflection by Dr. Cheng (2025) emphasizes the ongoing need for advocacy and investment in children’s health to address rising rates of obesity, mental health concerns, and chronic conditions. The site also outlines the role of the Maternal and Child Health Life Course Research Network in fostering multidisciplinary collaboration to address knowledge gaps in measurement and translational research. The interview is one the Life Course History series of six.

• Link
• Series Site

Keywords: Child health, Environmental health, Genetics, Life Course, Maternal health, Models, Preventive health services, Research, Social determinants of health

Annotation: This blog post features an interview with Cheri Pies (conducted in 2011) concerning the translation of the life course health development framework into the practice of state and county health departments. It describes the integration of the life course perspective into maternal and child health program delivery, emphasizing a paradigm shift away from traditional medical models toward addressing the social determinants of health. The document outlines specific local initiatives, such as Building Economic Security Today and the Building Blocks Collaborative, which utilize life course principles to improve financial stability and cross-sector health equity. Substantial discussion is provided regarding the barriers to applying this theoretical framework, including categorical funding streams, and the importance of longitudinal research and evaluation to measure intergenerational health outcomes. The interview is one of six in the Life Course History series.

• Link
• Series Site

Keywords: Barriers, Child health, County health agencies, Health equity, History, Life Course, Maternal health, Models, Preventive health services, Research, Social determinants of health, State health agencies

Annotation: This blog post features an interview with Dr. David Barker regarding the life course health development framework and the fetal origins of chronic disease,. It explores the translation of life course principles into research, specifically examining how prenatal nutrition and birth weight influence the risk of coronary heart disease in later life. The document highlights different life course models of health, contrasting the accumulation of damage with the development of physiological resilience. Recommendations are included for interdisciplinary collaboration and research priorities concerning placental health, cognitive function, and childhood obesity.

• Link
• Series Site

Keywords: Child health, Chronic illnesses and disabilities, History, Life course, Maternal health, Models, Prenatal influences, Prental care, Research, Social determinants of health

Annotation: This blog post features an interview with Dr. Christopher Forrest regarding the life course health development framework and the need for a conceptual shift from disease-oriented research toward a longitudinal science of health. It identifies the development of standardized metrics and a common lexicon as essential for measuring how health attributes are acquired and shaped from birth through adulthood. The document examines the potential for collaborative research networks and distributed data systems to overcome barriers created by disease-oriented funding and partitioned medical specialties. Discussion includes strategies for the Maternal and Child Health Life Course Research Network to advance interdisciplinary education and advocacy for a dedicated federal health development office. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau].

• Link
• Series Site

Keywords: Barriers, Child health, Collaboration, History, Life course, Maternal health, Measures, Metrics, Research, Social determinants of health, Standards

Annotation: This statement focuses on the safety and benefits of community water fluoridation (CWF). Contents include evidence showing that CWF programs are an effective, cost-saving, and safe intervention for preventing tooth decay and promoting oral health across the lifespan. The effectiveness of CWF compared with other methods of fluoride delivery is discussed, along with the return on investment of CWF, both for families and for the health care system as a whole. Risks that may accompany CWF are addressed.

• Link

Keywords: Community based services, Cost effectiveness, Disease prevention, Fluorides, Life course, Oral health, Safety, Water

Annotation: This resource provides individuals with special health care needs and their families with tools and strategies to advocate for whatever they may need. Topics include access to health care, accessible communities, advocacy and leadership skills, communicating about health, education services and support, insurance and financial assistance, legislation and political action, steps to employment success, transition to adulthood, and youth leadership.

• Link

Keywords: Access to health care, Advocacy, Communication, Family support services, Leadership, Life course, Special health care needs, Transitions

Annotation: This report provides information about the importance of oral health throughout the life-span, the economic costs of oral disease and oral health disparities, and efforts to improve access to preventive oral health services in Michigan. Topics include gains made in increasing access statewide through the expansion of Healthy Kids Dental, a public-private partnership between the Michigan Department of Community Health and Delta Dental; maintenance of dental benefits for adults enrolled in Medicaid; community water fluoridation; and dental sealants.

• Link

Keywords: Access to health care, Adults, Barriers, Children, Coalitions, Community action, Dental sealants, Fluorides, Health care disparities, Infants, Life course, Medicaid, Michigan, Older adults, Oral health, Policy development, Preventive health services, Public private partnerships, State programs, Statewide planning, Water, Wisconsin

Annotation: This handbook presents a theoretical framework for understanding the development of health and disease from a life course perspective, synthesizes and analyzes evidence from the prenatal period through emerging adulthood, and explores implications for research, practice, and policy. The chapters examine major health concerns such as autism and obesity, important less-studied conditions such as hearing and kidney health, and cross-cutting issues such as health disparities and adversity. There are also several chapters that address methodological approaches and challenges by analyzing existing measures, studies, and surveys. The book concludes with the editors' research agenda that proposes priorities for future research and its application.

• Link

Keywords: Child development, Human development, Life course

Annotation: [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

• Link

Keywords: Life course, Resources for professionals, Social determinants of health, Social factors

Annotation: This tool incorporates the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition's Presidential Champions program and uses gamification, the application of points and achievements to non-game context, to inspire youth and adults to engage in physical activity and to monitor progress toward their own health goals. Users can determine what and how much to eat; track their food intake, physical activity, and weight; and personalize their experience by setting individual goals, journaling, and receiving virtual coaching.

• Link

Keywords: Dietary assessment, Dietary guidelines, Electronic journals, Food consumption, Food habits, Food preferences, Games, Goals, Health promotion, Life course, Motivation, Nutrition, Physical activity, Weight

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.

• PDF

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

Annotation: These resources for World Oral Health Day, celebrated globally every year on March 20, focus on ways to maintain and protect oral health throughout life. The messages are intended for use by the general public and health professionals who play a key role in educating clients. Contents include an advocacy guide; a brochure on oral health do's and dont's, with sections devoted to oral health of women during pregnancy, children, and older adults; a game; posters; a toolkit for organizing events and social media campaigns; and a video. The materials are available in multiple languages.

• Link

Keywords: Children, Decision making, Disease prevention, Families, Health behavior, Health promotion, International health, Life course, Multimedia, Networking, Non English language materials, Older adults, Oral health, Oral hygiene, Pregnant women, Public awareness campaigns, Risk factors

Annotation: This series of cards provides oral health messages for health professionals to share with clients and their families. Each card addresses a specific population (pregnant women, infants, children, adolescents, children with special health care needs, adults, and older adults) and is accompanied by a brochure listing messages and resources. The cards and brochures are available in English and in Spanish.

• Link

Keywords: Adolescents, Adults, Children with special health care needs, Educational materials, Health promotion, Infants, Life course, Oral health, Pregnant women, Resources for professionals, Spanish language materials, Young children

Annotation: These resources highlight changes and improvements in state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs to improve access to and quality of health care for individuals and families with low incomes. Topics include expanded coverage for adults; innovation in eligibility, enrollment, and renewal processes and systems; coordination of application and enrollment processes; and messaging and policies to ensure no wrong door to coverage.

• Link

Keywords: Children's Health Insurance Program, Eligibility, Enrollment, Health care reform, Health insurance, Information dissemination, Life course, Low income groups, Medicaid, Organizational change, Outcome and process assessment, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Policy development, Service coordination, State programs, Systems development, Trends

Annotation: This report summarizes information on the burden of oral disease in Florida, highlights oral health disparities associated with specific populations, and describes resources and programs for improving oral health. Topics include state and national objectives, the societal and economic impact of oral disease, risk and protective factors, work force capacity and diversity, and use of oral health care.

• PDF

Keywords: zzz, Access to health care, Adolescents, Children, Disease prevention, Florida, Health disparities, Health objectives, Health services delivery, Health status, Infants, Life course, Low income groups, Older adults, Oral health, Population surveillance, Pregnant women, Prevalence, Program improvement, Protective factors, Risk factors, Special health care needs, State initiatives, State programs, Statistical data, Work force

Annotation: This report, and accompanying supplemental reports, present findings on the status of Americans' health at the state level, along with the diverse factors associated with health. The report examines how state-level variations in health outcomes correlate with variations in factors thought to shape or influence health (health determinants) from five domains including health behaviors, health systems, economic and social factors, physical and social environmental factors, and public policies and social spending. Contents include research and policy priorities emerging from the analysis. Maps and charts are included.

• HOTS Summary Report
• HOTS Supplemental Reports

Keywords: Data analysis, Decision making, Economics, Geographic factors, Health behaviors, Health status, Health systems, Life course, Protective factors, Public policy, Risk factors, Social factors

Annotation: This report presents findings from a statewide oral health assessment in Illinois and offers a blueprint for moving forward to achieve better health for all residents. Topics include the historical and current context of oral health, the oral health of children and adults in Illinois, the capacity of the oral health system, and oral health policy. A data summary is included.

• PDF

Keywords: Collaboration, Health care systems, Health policy, Illinois, Life course, Oral health, Oral health care, Policy development, Population surveillance, Program improvement, Public health infrastructure, Quality assurance, Statewide planning, Statistical data, Systems development

Annotation: This issue of Health Affairs describes aspects of the divide between oral health care and medical care and the consequences of this divide for patients. Topics include oral health care's education system and work force, financing and delivery, research, and quality measurement.

• Link

Keywords: Costs, Financing, Health care delivery, Health care reform, Health care utilization, Life course, Measures, Medicaid, Oral health, Professional education, Professional training, Program improvement, Quality assurance, Reimbursement, Research, Service integration, Systems development, Work force

Annotation: This document synthesizes peer-reviewed systematic reviews on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) associated with higher health care costs among adults. Contents include the policy context, supporting evidence, and limitations. Collectively, the studies included in the review report costs for three of 10 major ACEs: physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect. The appendices contain definitions of terms, search terms and databases used in the review, and a description of systematic reviews and relevant primary research studies included in the review.

• Link

Keywords: Adults, Child abuse, Child neglect, Child sexual abuse, Costs, Evaluation methods, Life course, Low income groups, Medicaid, Public policy, Research reviews, Stress, Trauma, Women

Annotation: This report reviews the history of oral health in Nebraska, compares current disease status with national trends, describes needs and existing resources, and identifies areas of focus for overcoming disparities. Topics include public policy and the oral health work force, improving disease surveillance, increasing access to care, enhancing community-based prevention, and elevating public education and oral health promotion.

• PDF

Keywords: Access to health care, Chronic illnesses and disabilities, Community based services, Ethnic groups, Health care disparities, Health disparities, Health objectives, Health promotion, Health status, Life course, Low income groups, Measures, Nebraska, Needs assessment, Oral health, Policy development, Population surveillance, Pregnant women, Public health education, State programs, Statewide planning, Tobacco use, Vulnerability, Work force