Skip Navigation

Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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 (26 total).

Community Catalyst. 2022. Policy change to advance oral health equity: An overview of key findings—Oral health in America. Boston, MA: Community Catalyst, 4 pp.

Annotation: This brief provides an overview of key findings from Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges that focus on opportunities to effect policy change to help achieve oral health equity and racial justice. Topics include the relationship between oral health, social inequities, and structural racism; progress toward reducing oral disease; policy changes to help improve the oral health care system and advance health equity; and strategies to improve the oral health of Americans.

Contact: Community Catalyst, Dental Access Project, 30 Winter Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, Telephone: (617) 338-6035 Fax: (617) 451-5838 E-mail: info@communitycatalyst.org Web Site: http://www.communitycatalyst.org/projects?id=0014 Available from the website.

Keywords: Health care disparities, Health care systems, Health equity, Oral health, Public policy, Racism

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2022. A Journey to Birth Justice: A Panel Discussion with the Filmmakers of Aftershock. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs,

Annotation: This panel discussion on birth justice was hosted by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) during Black Maternal Health Week and features Aftershock filmmakers Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis and maternal health advocate Shawnee Benton-Gibson. Health equity and antiracism in maternal and infant health are the focus on the discussion.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: info@amchp.org Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Blacks, Community role, Families, Fatherhood, Health equity, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Minority health, Racism, Social support, maternal mortality

Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health; National Healthy Start Initiative . 2022. Inculcating Equity, Health Equity Framework. Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health ,

Annotation: This resource summarized the health equity framework developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative (AIM CCI) and provides access to a racial equity series (RELS) comprised of seven web based learning modules. Each module contains topic information, activities, and a short, scored quiz designed to build upon the former module. Topics include acknowledgement and acceptance of racism, institutional transformation, and personal/systemic change. A fact sheet about the modules, answers to frequently asked questions, and a user's leadership manual can be downloaded from the website.

Contact: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, 409 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20024, E-mail: aim@acog.org

Keywords: Educational materials, Health equity, Racial factors, Racism, Training materials

Aspen Institute Strategy Group . 2021. Reversing the U.S. maternal mortality crisis . Washington, DC: Aspen Institute , 146 pp.

Annotation: This annual report addresses maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States and presents five big ideas on how to tackle the problem. The recommendations are based on white papers prepared by subject matter experts that provide background information and data on maternal mortality in the U.S.; analyze the current maternity care system; explore racism and racial inequity in maternal and health outcomes; and assess the role of Medicaid in understanding and potentially helping to solve the problem. The five big ideas are as follows: 1) Make a national commitment to improvement; 2) Build and support community care models; 3) Redesign insurance around women’s needs; 4) Tackle the racism that undermines women-centered maternity care; and 5) Invest in research, data, and analysis.

Contact: Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036-1133, Telephone: (202) 736-5800 Fax: (202) 467-0790 Web Site: http://www.aspeninstitute.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Community health, Health insurance, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Prevention, Public health, Racial factors, Racism, Women', s health

Hernandez-Cancio S, Gray V. 2021. Racism hurts moms and babies. Washington, D.C.: National Partnership for Women and Families; National Birth Equaity Collaborative , 7 pp. (Moms and Babies )

Annotation: This publication explores the link between interpersonal and community-level racism and its impact on preterm birth, lower gestational age at birth, and infant low birth weight. Rather than focusing on individual behaviors that put pregnant people of color at higher risk of poor health outcomes, the authors describe how the toxic stress of racism affects physiological processes. One in a ten-part series of publications titled Saving the Lives of Mothers and Babies produced jointly by the National Partnership for Women and Families and the National Birth Equity Collaborative.

Contact: National Partnership for Women and Families, Childbirth Connection Programs, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009, E-mail: info@childbirthconnection.org Web Site: http://www.childbirthconnection.org

Keywords: Blacks, Infant health, Low birthweight, Maternal health, Pregnancy, Preterm birth, Racial factors, Racism, Risk factors

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. 2020. How racism can affect child development. Cambridge, MA: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 1 p.

Annotation: This infographic illustrates how children's stress response systems react to systemic racism and everyday discrimination to negatively affect their learning, behavior and physical and mental health.

Contact: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 50 Church Street, Fourth Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138, Telephone: (617) 496-0578 E-mail: developingchild@harvard.edu Web Site: http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu Available from the website.

Keywords: Brain, Child development, Racial factors, Racism, Social factors

Ellmann N. 2020. Community-based doulas and midwives . Washington , DC: Center for American Progress , 37 pp.

Annotation: This report presents key perspectives, lessons learned, and policy recommendations for state- and federal-level initiatives that center around the work of doulas and midwives in addressing the nation’s maternal health crisis.The report discusses racial disparities in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality and describes how birth workers can help reduce health risks, particularly among black and indigenous individuals giving birth. Information and perspectives shared by doulas and midwives interviewed for the report fall into three major categories: 1) the role and importance of community-based birth workers and the re-centering of the community in pregnancy-related care; 2) guidelines for health care system integration and the role of government; and 3) the creation of a progressive vision for pregnancy-related care in the United States.

Contact: Center for American Progress, 1333 H Street, N.W., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 682-1611 Fax: (202) 682-1867 E-mail: progress@AmericanProgress.org Web Site: http://www.americanprogress.org

Keywords: Alaska natives , American Indians, Barriers, Blacks, Childbirth, Community health services, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Midwives, Pregnancy, Prevention services, Racial factors, Racism, Risk factors, Social support

Tappin K. 2015. Inequities in maternal and child health: An analysis of policy, practice, and social determinants over the life-course. Greenbelt, MD: Mid Atlantic Health Policy Research Consortium, 43 pp.

Annotation: This paper examines the social determinants experienced over the life course and their influence on adverse birth outcomes for black women in Maryland. Contents include background on Maryland and data on maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, and on the Eastern Shore; vital statistics data on the health of mothers and infants in Maryland; and a set of proposals to strengthen Maryland's policies and programs around MCH.

Contact: Health Policy Research Consortium, CTIS, 6401 Golden Triangle Drive, Suite 310, Greenbelt, MD 20770, Telephone: (301) 375-2021 Fax: (240) 582-7846 E-mail: info@hprc.info Web Site: http://hprc.info Available from the website.

Keywords: Adverse effects, Blacks, Health care disparities, Health disparities, Infants, Life course, MCH programs, MCH research, MCH services, Maryland, Mothers, Outcome and process assessment, Policy development, Pregnant women, Program development, Racial discrimination, Racial factors, Racism, Sociocultural factors, Socioeconomic factors, State programs, Statistical data, Women

Dowd AC, Bensimon EM. 2015. Engaging the "race question:" Accountability and equity in U.S. higher education. New York, NY: Teachers College Press, 240 pp.

Annotation: This book for college faculty, administrators, and student affairs professionals demonstrates what educators need to know and do to take an active role in racial equity work on college and university campuses. The book provides examples of policy and practice for improving equity in postsecondary education, examines the role of individuals and groups in the change process, includes examples of action research tools, and offers other strategies for professional development and organizational change.

Contact: Teachers College Press, 1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, Telephone: (212) 678-3929 E-mail: tcp.cs@aidcvt.com Web Site: https://www.tcpress.com $34.36 ebook; $43.95 paperback; $50.94 bundle (paperback and ebook); $86 hardcover. Document Number: ISBN 978-0-8077-5609-6.

Keywords: Accountability, Case studies, Colleges, Equal opportunities, Leadership, Organizational change, Policy development, Postsecondary education, Program improvement, Racism

CityMatCH, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, National Healthy Start Association, EveryWoman Southeast. 2013. Addressing racism's impact on infant mortality: Lessons learned from the Partnership to Eliminate Disparities in Infant Mortality. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1 video (60 min., 24 sec.).

Annotation: This webinar explores the persistent gap in infant mortality between white and black infants and how to address challenges and opportunities. The experiences of 11 community and state teams and partners in addressing racism's impact on infant mortality are shared and lessons learned are described with actionable steps for programs to take. Examples are provided from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: info@amchp.org Web Site: http://www.amchp.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Blacks, Case studies, Community programs, Infant death, Infant mortality, Multimedia, Racial factors, Racism, State initiatives

Martinez K, Franics K, Poirier JM, Brown Jr. LD, Wang M. 2013. A blueprint for using data to reduce disparities/disproportionalities in human services and behavioral health care. Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research, 40 pp.

Annotation: This blueprint describes a framework and multistep process to reduce disparities and disproportionalities in human services and behavioral health care. The steps discussed include (1) readiness, (2) community engagement, (3) identification, (4) assessment, (5) intervention, (6) evaluation/continuous quality improvement, (7) replication, and (8) sustainability. A case study in a hypothetical community is included.

Contact: American Institutes for Research, 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20007, Telephone: (202) 944-5400 Secondary Telephone: (877) 334-3499 Fax: (202) 403-5454 E-mail: center@air.org Web Site: http://www.air.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Quality assurance, Access to health care, Communities, Data, Statistical data, Community programs, Cultural competence, Cultural factors, Ethnic factors, Human services, Intervention, Prevention, Program evaluation, Racial factors, Racism, Treatment

Rough A. 2012. The Partnership to Eliminate Disparities in Infant Mortality. Washington, DC: Grantmakers in Health, 2 pp. (Views from the field)

Annotation: This document provides information about the Partnership to Eliminate Disparities in Infant Mortality, which focuses on eliminating racial inequities contributing to infant mortality in U.S. urban areas. The brief discusses the partnership's activities, actions identified to reduce infant mortality, challenges and impacts, and lessons learned.

Contact: Grantmakers In Health, 1100 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20036-4101, Telephone: (202) 452-8331 Fax: (202) 452-8340 Web Site: http://www.gih.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Blacks, Communication, Infant mortality, Intervention, Prevention, Programs, Racial factors, Racial factors, Racism, Urban populations

Cable LP. 2012. Conversations that matter: A how-to guide for hosting discussions about race, racism, and public health. Omaha, NE: CityMatCH; Charlotte NC: Lee Institute, 40 pp.

Annotation: This guide is intended to serve as a resource to assist public health professionals in initiating open and honest conversations about racism's impact on community health. Topics include how to use the guide, conversation essentials, essentials for group meetings, and essentials for planning teams.

Contact: CityMatCH, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 982170 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-2170, Telephone: (402) 552-9500 E-mail: citymch@unmc.edu Web Site: http://www.citymatch.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Communication, Communities, Public health, Racial factors, Racism

Partnership to Eliminate Disparities in Infant Mortality. 2011. Infant mortality and racism: Action Learning Collaborative meeting summary. [no place]: Partnership to Eliminate Disparities in Infant Mortality, 6 pp.

Annotation: This report summarizes the second of three meetings of the Infant Mortality & Racism Action Learning Collaborative held on June 1-3, 2009, in Long Beach, California. The report provides background and discusses communicating about racism; racism, stress, and reproductive disadvantage; and planning for change.

Contact: National Healthy Start Association, 1325 G Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 296-2195 E-mail: info@nationalhealthystart.org Web Site: http://www.nationalhealthystart.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Infant mortality, Racism, Reproductive health, Stress

Leavitt R. 2009. Cultural competence: A lifelong journey to cultural proficiency. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK, 264 pp.

Annotation: This book represents an effort to facilitate the development of cultural competence and cultural proficiency among physical therapists. The book covers theory, practice, and professional development areas of study that have frequently been omitted from the traditional curriculum for rehabilitation professional students or continuing education for the practitioner. Chapters 1,2, and 3 address the domains of culture and cultural competence from a broad perspective. Chapter 4 identifies special considerations that need to be addressed when doing an ethnography of a client. Chapter 5 is devoted to understanding disability. Chapter 6 focuses on present-day circumstances of disparities in health status, health care, and physical therapy. Chapters 7 and 8 are about poverty and racism. Chapter 9 is about communication. Chapter 10 introduces the concept of service learning and explores the relationship between service learning and cultural competence. Chapter 11 discusses the social construct of disability. Chapter 2 provides specific strategies to enable individual physical therapists and the profession of physical therapy to work toward increased cultural competence.

Contact: Slack, Incorporated, 6900 Grove Road, Thorofare, NJ 08086, Telephone: (856) 848-1000 Fax: (856) 853-5991 Web Site: http://www.slackbooks.com Available in libraries. Document Number: ISBN 978-1-55642-876-0.

Keywords: Chronic illnesses and disabilities, Communication, Cultural competence, Health, Health care disparities, Health status disparities, Physical therapists, Physical therapy, Physical therapy education, Poverty, Racism, Rehabilitation

CityMatCH. 2006. Undoing institutional racism: Defining terms; moving forward. CityLights 15(1):1-8,

Annotation: This issue of City Lights focuses on undoing institutional racism. The issue provides background on how racism affects urban women, children, and families and defines racism-related terms. Articles are also included on the challenge of undoing racism, research on reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes, CityMatch's effort to tackle racism, undoing racism in Seattle and King County, and addressing disparities in premature birth in the wake of the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Contact: CityMatCH, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 982170 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-2170, Telephone: (402) 552-9500 E-mail: citymch@unmc.edu Web Site: http://www.citymatch.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Children, Families, Prevention, Racial discrimination, Racial factors, Racism, Research, State programs, Washington, Women, infants

Grantmakers for Children, Youth, and Families. 2006. Building constitutencies in diverse communities: Lessons from a learning journey. Insight: A Review of Current GCYF Topics and Issues. 1-38. Summer 2006,

Annotation: This issue describes factors involved in effective grantmaking strategies for working in diverse communities including: changing demographics, disparities, and the limitations of traditional grantmaking models. It analyzes the contextual dynamics through which the work of building constituencies in diverse communities takes place through three lenses: structural racism, racial equality, and inclusionary grantmaking. The issue discusses three work arenas in which the work of building constituencies takes place: internal practices, community engagement, and capacity building.

Contact: Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families, 12138 Central Avenue, Suite 422, Mitchellville, MD 20721, Telephone: (301) 589-4293 Fax: (301) 589-4289 E-mail: info@gcyf.org Web Site: http://www.gcyf.org Available for members only.

Keywords: Foundations, Grants, Guidelines, Minority groups, Nonprofit organizations, Racism, Underserved communities

Berger L, McDaniel M, Paxson C. 2005. Assessing parenting behaviors across racial groups: Implications for the child welfare system. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University, Bendheim-Thoman Center for Research on Child Wellbeing, 42 pp. (Working paper no. 05-19-FF)

Annotation: This paper focuses on the process by which individuals make judgments about the parenting behaviors of others, and whether these judgments are influenced by race. The authors examine racial differences in parenting (if any) and whether racial differences in socioeconomic status and maternal characteristics can explain these differences. The paper, which includes an abstract, provides background, data and measures, empirical analysis, and conclusions. Statistical information is presented in tables grouped together at the end of the report. The report includes one appendix: interviewer-assessed maternal and child behavior characteristics. References and endnotes are included.

Contact: Princeton University, Bendheim-Thoman Center for Research on Child Wellbeing, Wallace Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544, Telephone: (609) 258-5894 Fax: (609) 258-5804 E-mail: crcw@opr.princeton.edu Web Site: http://crcw.princeton.edu Available from the website.

Keywords: MCH research, Maternal behavior, Parenting, Racial factors, Racism, Socioeconomic factors, Socioeconomic status

Walker VS, Snarey JR, eds. 2004. Race-ing moral formation: African American perspectives on care and justice. New York, NY: Teacher's College Press, 208 pp.

Annotation: The papers collected in this volume reveal the contribution of African American voices to understanding the relationship between justice and care. The first part of the text provides a psychological perspective on moral formation among African Americans during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Part two provides practical, pedagogical perspectives drawn from the past, present, and ongoing challenges of African American educational practices, focusing on what African American voices have to say about promoting care, justice, and moral formation within schools. Appendices include information on chapter-correlated films that illustrate these values and a summary of ways in which each chapter contributes to the understanding of each of the justice-and-care primary dual values. References, information on the contributors, and an index are included.

Contact: Teacher's College Press, 1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, Telephone: (800) 575-6566 Secondary Telephone: (212) 678-3929 Fax: (212) 678-4149 E-mail: tcpress@tc.columbia.edu Web Site: http://www.tcpress.com Available in libraries. Document Number: ISBN 0-8077-4449-2.

Keywords: Blacks, Criminal justice system, Education, Life skills, Moral development, Moral values, Racial discrimination, Racial factors, Racism, Social discrimination, Social integration, Social values

Barnes-Josiah D, Fitzgerald M, ed. 2004. Undoing racism in public health: A blueprint for action in urban MCH. Omaha, NE: CityMatCH, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 55 pp.

Annotation: This report, which focuses on strategies for eliminating racism and racial disparities in public health, is divided into three main sections. Section 1 examines the scientific basis for racism as a determinant of health status and health disparities, and how institutional racism manifests in health care and health departments. Section 2 provides an overview of existing directions, options, and resources for eliminating racism. Section 3 outlines a series of activities for a local public health-based initiative for eliminating racism. The report includes three appendices: (1) assessing institutional readiness and priorities for eliminating racism in local public health agencies, (2) a list of relevant organizations, and (3) a list of workgroup participants.

Contact: CityMatCH, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 982170 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-2170, Telephone: (402) 552-9500 E-mail: citymch@unmc.edu Web Site: http://www.citymatch.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Attitude change, Attitudes, Health care, Health status, Initiatives, Public health, Public health agencies, Racial discrimination, Racism, Resource materials

    Next Page »

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.