Search Results: MCHLine

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.

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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

Annotation: This online resource, available in both professional and consumer versions, provides guidance on preventive gynecologic care for women and gender-diverse individuals. It details the components of well-woman visits, including the collection of obstetric and gynecologic history, pelvic and breast examinations, and preventive screenings for conditions such as cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections. The material outlines clinical protocols for documenting gravidity and parity, evaluating menstrual abnormalities, and performing specialized physical exams like the speculum and bimanual examination. It emphasizes shared decision-making between patients and clinicians regarding vaccinations and the necessity of routine diagnostic procedures.

• Consumer Version
• Professional Version

Keywords: Disease prevention, Guidelines, Health promotion, Reproductive health, Women's health

Annotation: This report presents the results of the Levels of Care Assessment Tool (LOCATe) implemented in Montana in 2021 to assess maternal and neonatal care capabilities in birthing facilities and support strategies to improve risk-appropriate care. LOCATe aligns with guidelines from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatricsto match hospital capabilities with patient risk. The report summarizes Montana's LOCATe results, with 96% of birthing facilities participating. Key findings include: 80% of facilities assessed at Level I or II for neonatal care; 68% assessed at Level I or lower for maternal care; facilities had discrepancies between self-reported and assessed levels; 44% lacked maternal transport plans; and protocols existed for maternal emergencies but drills were lacking. The report provides five recommendations to improve risk-appropriate care: 1) Develop perinatal regionalization through stakeholder coordination; 2) Cultivate relationships between facilities through education and learning collaboratives; 3) Establish maternal transport plans and agreements; 4) Enhance care through evidence-based practices and statewide safety bundles; 5) Measure impact through data and review committees.

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Keywords: Gestational age, High risk pregnancy, Montana , Perinatal care, Reproductive health, Risk appropriate care, Rural health, State initiatives, Statistical data

Annotation: This web-based tool helps states and other jurisdictions create standardized assessments of levels of maternal and neonatal care. CDC LOCATeSM is based on the most recent guidelines and policy statements issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

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Keywords: Gestational age, High risk pregnancy, Perinatal care, Reproductive health, Risk appropriate care, Statistical data

Annotation: This report discusses how the Departments of Health of three states (Alaska, New Mexico, and Montana) are strengthening access to risk-appropriate care for American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Initiatives and recommendations include increased data collection, promoting people-centered and culturally appropriate care, and collaborating with community organizations.

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Keywords: Alaska natives, High risk pregnancy, Native Americans, Perinatal care, Racism, Reproductive health, Risk appropriate care, Social bias

Annotation: This report presents findings from a 2021 survey of state Medicaid agencies on their policies related to coverage of family planning services. The survey was conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and Health Management Association.

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Keywords: Contraception, Contraceptive agents, Contraceptive devices, Emergency contraception, Family planning, Health policy, Medicaid, Oral contraceptives, Reproductive health, Surveys

Annotation: This report describes strategies for implementing regionalized risk-appropriate maternal care across the United States through a levels of maternal care (LoMC) classification system. It examines key implementation components including facility assessment and verification, establishment of regional care networks, maternal transport systems, quality improvement processes, and data monitoring approaches. The report highlights challenges faced by rural facilities, the role of telemedicine, and the importance of addressing health equity in maternal care systems. Using case studies from various states and health systems, it provides specific recommendations for building sustainable LoMC systems nationally, including establishing a coordinating center, expanding funding mechanisms, and improving payment structures for obstetrical care.

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Keywords: Classification, Perinatal care, Reproductive health, Risk appropriate care, Risk factors

Annotation: This issue brief addresses barriers to adequate health care in rural communities for women of reproductive age with mental health and substance use disorders. The brief discusses social determinants that play a significant role in health outcomes (e.g., rising unemployment, unreliable transportation, inadequate housing, and low rates of health insurance coverage) and addresses the complex needs of women in rural settings who have limited access to medical treatment. Included are examples of state and federal programs designed to increase access to care and improve care coordination for vulnerable women of reproductive age, including pregnant women.

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Keywords: Access to care, Intervention, Mental disorders, Model programs, Reproductive health, Rural health, Rural population, Substance use disorders, Women's health

Annotation: This chart is designed to help pregnant women and parents choose which fish to eat, and how often to eat them, based on their mercury levels. Contents include best choices (lowest levels of mercury), good choices, and choices to avoid (highest mercury levels) and the number of servings per day. A description of serving sizes for adults and young children (ages 4 to 7) is included.

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Keywords: Child development, Child health, Children, Consumer education materials, Decision making, Environmental exposures, Environmental pollution, Nutrition, Parents, Pregnant women, Reproductive hazards

Annotation: This toolkit is a resource for advocates who are concerned about the health and well-being of black women and girls. It takes a human rights based approach to maternal health, identifying the rights of pregnant and birthing parents and the corresponding role of government to ensure safe and respectful maternal health care for all.

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Keywords: Advocacy , Blacks, Female children, Human rights, Maternal health, Racial factors, Reproductive rights, Women

Annotation: These materials and resources are designed to assist state program staff and others interested in promoting birth defects prevention during "January is Birth Defects Prevention Month." Contents include fact sheets, pamphlets, and posters about birth defects, preconception health, infections and immunizations, and healthy lifestyle. Topics include what you should know about birth defects, including congenital heart defects; folic acid and fetal alcohol syndrome; toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, and tips on preventing infections during pregnancy; and diabetes, smoking, and domestic violence. The resources are available in English and Spanish.

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Keywords: Congenital abnormalities, Gestational diabetes, Preconception care, Prevention, Public awareness campaigns, Reproductive health, Spanish language materials

Annotation: This brief explains how the Affordable Care Act (ACA), through Medicaid expansion and expanded Medicaid coverage criteria for children, has improved maternal and child health (MCH). Topics include the impact of expanded coverage for women of reproductive age, particularly for preconception and interconception health care, and eligibility criteria for children ages 6 to 19 on MCH.

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Keywords: Child health, Children, Chronic illnesses and disabilities, Health care reform, Health insurance, Health status, Maternal health, Maternal health services, Medicaid, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Preconception care, Pregnant women, Prenatal care, Reproductive health, Women's health

Annotation: This resource presents the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation on screening for preeclampsia in pregnant women with blood pressure measurements throughout pregnancy. The recommendation statement; supporting documents, including the research plan, evidence review, evidence summary, clinical summary; and related information for health professionals.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Evidence based medicine, Hospitals, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy induced hypertension, Pregnant women, Prenatal care, Reproductive health, Screening, Women's health

Annotation: This report summarizes activities and outcomes from a project to integrate and implement preconception care into clinic and community settings. Contents include information about the project's progress toward meeting the goal and objectives, future plans, and dissemination. Topics include reframing and diversifying messages; launching a consumer-facing campaign; partnering with preconception peer educators; implementing a pregnancy intention screening tool; engaging, training, and providing technical assistance to clinics and health care systems; and catalyzing change by convening meetings. Environment, challenges, opportunities, collaboration and observations are discussed.

• Word Document
• Program Website

Keywords: Clinics, Communication, Community based services, Men's health, National initiatives, Organizational change, Outcome and process assessment, Peer education, Preconception care, Prevention programs, Program development, Public awareness campaigns, Public private partnerships, Reproductive health, Screening, Service integration, Technical assistance, Training, Women's health

Annotation: This report summarizes the impact of a national preconception outreach and education initiative for young men and women and clinicians. Contents include media metrics following the launch of national consumer website and social media platform to increase the visibility of preconception health messages and provide young adults with essential, evidence-based information to improve their health, reduce their risks, and improve birth outcomes. Topics include launch results and analytic snapshot and information about the related grantee and preconception peer educator ambassador programs. Additional contents summarize the impact of a partnership to integrate preconception health into routine clinical care using a learning collaborative, peer-reviewed publications, a website, traditional media, social media, expanded conversations, conferences and webinars, and a national newsletter.

• Word Document
• Program Website

Keywords: Clinics, Communication, Community based services, Mass media, Measures, Men's health, National initiatives, Organizational change, Peer education, Preconception care, Prevention programs, Program evaluation, Public awareness campaigns, Public private partnerships, Reproductive health, Screening, Service integration, Technical assistance, Training, Women's health

Annotation: This public health campaign website was launched with the goal of educating and empowering young African American and Latino women (including those ages 15-18), who are most at-risk for developing lupus, to be aware of it signs and symptoms. The campaign uses the web, social media, digital advertising, and audience engagement to reach young women and educate them about the signs and symptoms of lupus. The campaign website also provides tools and resources such as the Lupus Foundation of America’s “Could it Be Lupus?” interactive questionnaire so those with possible symptoms can learn how to take that next step and talk to their health care provider.

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Keywords: Adolescent health, Advocacy, African Americans, Autoimmune diseases, Early intervention programs, Empowerment, Ethnic factors, Hispanic Americans, Lupus erythematosus, Prevention programs, Public awareness campaigns, Reproductive health, Risk factors, Self care, Women's health

Annotation: This policy brief outlines the many ways in which Medicaid is addressing the Zika crisis, through targeted state grants, expanded benefits, and by financing family planning services for individuals of reproductive age. It examines the potential changes to Medicaid that have been proposed as part of a broader effort to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the potential implications of these proposals during the Zika virus outbreak. This policy brief is released in conjunction with "Stemming the Zika Virus: The Importance of Access to Care for Women and Men of Reproductive Age." This latter brief outlines the critical role of state public health leaders and maternal and child health professionals in combatting the Zika virus; it also features specific examples of prevention and treatment efforts underway in high-risk Zika states. Used together, these briefs highlight the dual role that federal funding and state action play in addressing a public health emergency.

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Keywords: Maternal health, Infant health, Virus diseases, Medicaid, Reproductive health

Annotation: This document reports on the findings of a one-day meeting convened in fall 2016 by AMCHP (Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs) to discuss state-implemented approaches to increasing access to the full range of contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), in the context of Zika preparedness. It summarizes the seven strategies that could help increase access to birth control by facilitating partnerships between providers, insurers, and state agencies, by remove barriers to access to birth control, and more. This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement #CDC-RFA-DP15-1507 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Reproductive Health.

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Keywords: Maternal health, Infant health, Virus diseases, Reproductive health, Contraceptives

Annotation: This brief reviews implementation requirements governing access to reproductive health services in Medicaid managed care. Topics include network adequacy and access to services, travel time and distance standards, timely availability of services, direct access to providers, information requirements, and utilization controls. Recommendations for states are also included.

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Keywords: Access to health care, Barriers, Health care utilization, Health services delivery, Medicaid managed care, Provider networks, Regulations, Reproductive health, Standards, Third party payers, Women's health

Annotation: This guide for health care professionals in multiple settings describes best practices for sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on contraceptive care and the prevention, screening, and testing of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV. Contents include information about leading with a sexual and reproductive justice approach; policy and practice recommendations; and best practices specific to the primary care and prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care settings. Additional contents include tools and resources on topics such as contraception care and provision, STI and HIV prevention and treatment, adolescent health care, patient-centered care and the sexual and reproductive justice framework, LGBTQ health care, intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion, health insurance access, and financial assistance and device reimbursement.

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• Program Website

Keywords: Adolescent health, Contraception, Contraceptive use, Culturally competent services, Family planning, Health promotion, Preventive health services, Primary care, Program improvement, Quality assurance, Reproductive health, Service integration, Sexual health, Sexually transmitted diseases