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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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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 (130 total).

Women's Preventive Services Initiative. n.d.. Well-woman preventive visits. Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, multiple items.

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

Collins SR et al. 2024. State scorecard on women’s health and reproductive care. New York, NY: Commonwealth Fund,

Annotation: This scorecard examines women's health and reproductive care across all U.S. states, analyzing performance through 32 measures organized into three dimensions: health outcomes; health care quality and prevention; and coverage, access, and affordability. It reveals significant regional and racial disparities in health system performance, with northeastern states generally performing better than southeastern and southwestern states. Key findings include: Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island ranking highest overall while Mississippi, Texas, and Nevada rank lowest; maternal mortality rates being highest in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, with rates disproportionately affecting Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women; mental health conditions representing the leading cause of preventable pregnancy-related deaths; women in states without Medicaid expansion facing higher uninsured rates and more frequently skipping care due to cost; and abortion restrictions potentially limiting future access to maternity care providers. The report highlights how state policy choices impact women's health, noting that southeastern states with abortion restrictions generally have fewer maternity care providers, higher maternal mortality, and lower screening rates.

Keywords: , Barriers, Health disparities, Health services, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Measures, Statistical data, Women's health

Cantor A, Nelson HD, Pappas M, Atchison C, Hatch B, Huguet N, Flynn B,McDonagh M . 2022. Effectiveness of telehealth for women's preventive services . Rockville, MD: U.S. Agency for Healhcare Research and Quality, 156 pp. (Comparative Effectiveness Review number 256 )

Annotation: This review evaluates the effectiveness, use, and implementation of telehealth for women’s preventive services for reproductive healthcare and interpersonal violence (IPV). It examines patient preferences and engagement in telehealth and explores how this form of health care delivery affects health outcomes, particularly for those who are geographically isolated or in underserved settings or populations. The use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighted.

Keywords: Health care systems, Health care delivery, Health screening, Prevention services, Telecommunications, Telehealth, Telemedicine, Women's health

Cantor A, Heidi D, Nelson HD, Pappas M. 2021. Women's Preventive Services Initiative evidence update: Well-woman preventive visits . Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Women's Preventive Health Services Initiaitive, 10 pp.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2020. Human papillomavirus vaccination . Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 7 pp. (Committee Opinion 809; replaces Committee Opinion 704 )

Annotation: This committee opinion for clinicians includes background information on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine; statistics on HPV-associated cancers; recommendations on who should be vaccinated and when; guidelines on administering the vaccine; and information on safety, efficacy, and patient education. The 2020 committee opinion r(#809) replaces the earlier 2017 opinion (#704).

Keywords: Adolescent health, Cancer, Communication, Disease prevention, Human papillomavirus, Preventive health services, Resources for professionals, Vaccines, Women's health services

Women's Preventive Services Initiative. 2020. Recommendations for well-woman care clinical summary tables . Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , 52 pp.

Annotation: This educational resource is designed to assist clinicians in providing preventive health services for well women. Included are standards of care and screening recommendations to assess general physical and mental health and to detect infectious disease, cancer, or health issues that may arise during pregnancy and postpartum. The rationale for different types of screenings, specific recommendations on ages and frequency of screening, clinical guidance for practitioners, and references are provided for each of the preventive care services.

Keywords: Disease prevention, Health screening, Preventive health services, Standards, Women's health

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists . 2019. Better for women report . London, United Kingdom: Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists , 83 pp.

Annotation: This report presents recommendations for improving women's health across the life course in the United Kingdom. It calls for the creation of national women's health strategies and outlines key areas for action, including access to information, contraception and abortion services, prevention of health issues, and addressing violence against women. The report discusses fragmentation of services, funding challenges, and the need for better data collection and use. It makes specific recommendations on topics such as cervical screening, workplace policies for women's health issues, and pelvic floor dysfunction awareness. The document includes an executive summary, detailed chapters on different aspects of women's health, and numerous policy recommendations for government and health system stakeholders.

Keywords: Women's health, Women's health promotion, Women's health services

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Committee on Gynecologic Practice. 2018. Well-woman visit. Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 6 pp. (ACOG committee opinion; 755 (replaces no. 534))

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2018. The Power of Prevention: The Cost Effectiveness of Maternal & Child Health Interventions. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 17 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief provides strategies and examples of how the Title V program's focus on preventative efforts can lead to long-term health benefits and cost-savings. Preconception care, cesarean-section reduction, prenatal care, maternal smoking cessation newborn screening, breastfeeding promotion, healthy early childhood development, access to medical homes, immunization promotion, and childhood injury prevention are among the preventive measures addressed.

Keywords: Child health, Cost containment, Cost effectiveness, Maternal health, Prevention programs, Prevention services, State MCH Programs, Title V programs, Women's health

Chen A, Wilson D. 2017. How Medicaid expansion benefits maternal and child health. Washington, DC: National Health Law Program, 5 pp.

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.

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Center for Maternal and Infant Health. 2017. W.K. Kellogg Foundation Report: May 2017–The National Preconception Health & Health Care Initiative. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Center for Maternal and Infant Health, 11 pp.

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.

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Center for Maternal and Infant Health. 2017. The National Preconception Health & Health Care Initiative: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Report–April 2017. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Center for Maternal and Infant Health, 6 pp.

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.

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

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Women's and Children's Health Policy Center. 2017. Strengthen the evidence base for maternal and child health programs: NPM 1: Well-woman visit [NPM 1 brief]. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Women's and Children's Health Policy Center, 4 pp.

Annotation: This brief identifies evidence-informed strategies for state Title V programs to consider to increase the percent of women with a past year preventive visit. Contents include information about the evidence continuum and the approach to the review, including examples of each type of intervention and its evidence rating; key findings; and implications. The full review is also available. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Block grants, Evidence-based practice, Health supervision, Literature reviews, Measures, Model programs, Policy development, Preventive health services, Program planning, Resources for professionals, State MCH programs, Title V programs, Women's health

McKee C. 2016. Medicaid managed care final regulations and reproductive care. Washington, DC: National Health Law Program, 7 pp. (Issue brief no. 5)

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.

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

Women's Preventive Services Initiative. 2016. Final report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration: Recommendations for preventive services for women (abridged report). Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 33 pp.

Annotation: This document presents recommendations for women's preventive health care services. Topics include breast cancer screening for average-risk women, breastfeeding services and supplies, screening for cervical cancer, contraception and contraceptive counseling, screening for gestational diabetes mellitus, screening for human immunodeficiency virus, screening for interpersonal and domestic violence, counseling for sexually transmitted infections, and well-woman preventive visits.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Breastfeeding, Cervical cancer, Contraception, Counseling, Domestic violence, Gestational diabetes, Guidelines, HIV screening, Health screening, Health services delivery, Interpersonal violence, Preventive health services, Sexually transmitted diseases, Women's health

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2015. Health for every mother: A maternal health resource and planning guide for states. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 118 pp.

Annotation: This guide for maternal and child health (MCH) programs and their partners provides a synthesis of program and policy recommendations and offers a framework to support states in identifying next steps. Contents include strategies and planning tools for strengthening maternal data systems, increasing the value of an investment in maternal health, enabling healthy living, improving access to care, ensuring high quality health care for women, and ensuring readiness and response to obstetric emergencies.

Keywords: Access to health care, Emergency medical services, MCH programs, MCH services, Maternal health, Mothers, Policy development, Preventive health services, Program improvement, Program planning, Quality assurance, Systems development, Women's health services

Benyo A, Borchelt G, Davenport K, Garcia K, Garrett D, Glover S, Levin S, Palanker D, Gandal-Powers M, Ross C. 2015. State of women's coverage: Health plan violations of the Affordable Care Act. Washington, DC: National Women's Law Center, 34 pp.

Annotation: This report assesses coverage of women’s health services by analyzing coverage offered on health insurance Marketplaces by more than 100 insurance companies in 15 states during 2014 and 2015. The report exposes violations related to maternity care, birth control, breastfeeding support and supplies, genetic testing, well-woman visits, prescription drug coverage, care related to gender transition for transgender individuals, chronic pain treatment, and certain pre-existing conditions. The report also highlights examples of discriminatory practices, such as denying maternity coverage to daughters of subscribers.

Keywords: Discrimination, Health care reform, Health insurance, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Preventive health services, State programs, Women's health

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2015. Opportunities and strategies for improving preconception health through health reform: Advancing collective impact for improved health outcomes. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 8 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief explores how states can capitalize on the opportunities presented by health reform to improve birth outcomes, particularly through preconception health. It highlights state Title V maternal and child health programs, particularly programs in three states (Michigan, Oklahoma, and Oregon) that participated in an action learning collaborative and are working to strengthen partnerships to implement preconception health activities, enhance preventive care for women, explore financing options for preconception care services, and use data to inform policy and program development. Delaware and Colorado also are featured as states that are working toward improved access to preconception care.

Keywords: Access to health care, Collaboration, Colorado, Data, Delaware, Financing, Health care reform, Learning, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Policy development, Preconception care, Preventive health services, Program development, Program improvement, Public private partnerships, State MCH programs, Title V programs, Women's health

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2015. State profiles for women's health. Menlo Park, CA: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation,

Annotation: This interactive map and dashboard offers the latest national and state-specific data on women’s health in the United States via state profiles. Users can hover over a state in the map to see key facts for women on demographics, health coverage and access to care, sexual health, or pregnancy. Click on a state to see a dashboard of charts with state-specific data on women’s health, including insurance and Medicaid coverage, poverty, mental health, HIV, cancer, pregnancy, abortions, and use of preventive services. Many indicators provide health care information for women of different racial and ethnic groups. The profiles draw from multiple sources. Each chart can be downloaded.

Keywords: Access to health care, Data, Ethnic groups, Health care utilization, Health insurance, Low income groups, Medicaid, Mental health, Pregnancy, Preventive health services, Sexual health, Women's health
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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.