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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 21 through 40 (451 total).

Lidia Horvat, Horey D, Romios P, & Kis‐Rigo J. 5/1/2014. Cultural competence education for health professionals. The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 87

Annotation: This systematic review examines the effects of cultural competence education for health professionals on patient-related outcomes, health professional outcomes, and healthcare organization outcomes. It included five randomized controlled trials involving 337 healthcare professionals and 8400 patients, with at least 3463 patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The review found low-quality evidence showing some improvements in patient involvement in care and health behaviors, but no evidence of effect on treatment outcomes or most evaluations of care. The authors developed a four-dimensional conceptual framework comprising educational content, pedagogical approach, structure of the intervention, and participant characteristics to provide consistency in describing and assessing interventions. They conclude that while cultural competence education shows some promise as a strategy to address health inequities, more rigorous research with greater methodological uniformity is needed to establish its effectiveness.c

Keywords: Cultural competency, Cultural diversity, Healthcare disparities, Minority groups, Resources for professionals

Barzel R, Holt K. 2026. Special care: An oral health professional's guide to serving children with special health care needs (2nd ed. rev.). Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, 1 v.

Annotation: This curriculum provides oral health professionals with information about children with special health care needs and oral health, oral health supervision, prevention of oral disease, and behavior guidance. The curriculum can help fulfill dental education and dental hygiene education program requirements on the management and treatment of patients with special health care needs. The curriculum can be taken for continuing education credit at no charge or for no credit (self-assessment). [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: Children with special health care needs, Curricula, Dental education, Disease prevention, Distance education, Oral health, Oral health care, Resources for professionals, Young children

Sievers K, Clark MB, Douglass AB, Maier R, Gonsalves W, Wrightson AS, Quinonez R, Dolce M, Dalal M, Rizzolo D, Simon L, Deutchman M, Silk H. 2026. Smiles for Life: A national oral health curriculum (4th ed.). Leawood, KS: Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, multiple items.

Annotation: This curriculum for health professionals and educators comprises nine courses addressing oral health. Courses focus on the relationship between oral health and systemic health; child oral health; adult oral health; acute oral health problems; pregnancy and women’s oral health; caries risk assessment, fluoride varnish, and counseling; the oral exam; oral health for older adults; and silver diamine fluoride. The courses can be taken for continuing education credit or simply to gain knowledge on the topics.

Keywords: Adolescents, Children, Continuing education, Curricula, Distance education, Financing, Infants, Mobile applications, Multimedia, Older adults, Oral health, Oral health care, Pregnant women, Resources for professionals, Spanish language materials, Training, Young children

American Hospital Association . 2026. Maternal health: Interdisciplinary workforce . ,

Annotation: This web page provides resources for hospitals and health systems to implement interdisciplinary care teams to improve health outcomes for mothers and families. It features webinars, podcasts, and case studies detailing the use of doulas and models such as TeamBirth to enhance patient experiences and reduce health disparitie. The site describes clinical strategies including multidisciplinary TeamSTEPPS training, Maternal Early Warning Signs protocols for hypertension, and simulation drills for obstetric emergencies. Additionally, it highlights programs like CenteringPregnancy to mitigate racial disparities and independent laborist models to reduce C-section rates for first-time, low-risk moms

Keywords: Interdisciplinary approach, Maternal health, Models, Resources for professionals, Work force

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Primary Care and Health Access, Office of Oral Health. 2025. Fluoride varnish training manual for Massachusetts healthcare professionals. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Primary Care and Health Access, Office of Oral Health, 11 pp.

Annotation: This manual is designed to help non-oral-health professionals implement fluoride-varnish application for infants, children, and adolescents ages 6 months to 21 years who are enrolled in Massachusetts’ Medicaid program. The manual includes instructions on how to complete the online Smiles for Life training, which is required for health professionals to apply fluoride varnish for this population. It also discusses how to begin using fluoride varnish in a practice as well as how to keep fluoride varnish notes and how to bill for fluoride varnish application. Basic information about fluoride varnish application and information to share with parents and other caregivers is included.

Keywords: Adolescents, Children, Clinical coding, Consumer education materials, Dental caries, Disease prevention, Fluorides, Infants, Manuals, Massachusetts, Medicaid, Oral health, Oral health care, Preventive health services, Reimbursement, Resources for professionals, Risk assessment, State programs, Training, Young adults

Barzel R, Holt K. 2025. Integrating oral health care into primary care: A resource guide (2nd. ed.). Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, 24 pp.

Annotation: This resource guide is designed to help health professionals, program administrators, educators, and others understand the benefits of integrating oral health care into primary care and to provide information about how to implement oral health care integration in materials, programs, and systems of care. The guide describes materials, such as briefs, curricula, fact sheets, guidelines, manuals, papers, reports, and videos, that reflect current science and practice as well as seminal resources. Descriptions of and contact information for relevant organizations is also included. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Keywords: , Educational materials, Oral health, Primary care, Resources for professionals, Service integration

Sakala C, Burns M. 2025. Transforming maternal health in Medicaid: A playbook for state Medicaid agencies and their partners based on CMS's Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) model. Washington, DC: National Partnership for Women and Families, 79 pp.

Annotation: This report provides information that state Medicaid agencies and their partners can use to improve maternal and infant health through their Medicaid programs, with particular attention on the Transforming Maternal Health Model (TMaH). The report contains three sections that correspond to core areas of maternal and infant health improvement: best practices, policy checklists, and resources.

Keywords: Infant health, Maternal health, Medicaid programs, Public policy, Resources for professionals

Baker J, Johnson E, Reminick A, Arch KD. 2025. Defining postpartum depression. Los Angeles, CA: Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health,

Barzel R, Holt K (eds.). 2024. Promoting oral health literacy: A resource guide. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, 21 pp.

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. 2024. The practical playbook III: Working together to improve maternal health . Chapel Hill, NC: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center, 665 pp.

Annotation: This resource for professionals provides actionable guidance that encourages collaboration across diverse sectors to address and improve inequities and maternal health outcomes. It provides examples of partnerships that leverage new ideas and resources, including innovative approaches to gathering and using data; highlights policies and practices that are improving the health and well-being of birthing people and children across the United States; and includes stories from birthing people and women about their pregnancy and childbirth experiences. Graphics and sample text for social media posts are also provided.

Keywords: Prenatal care, Advocacy, Childbirth, Colllaboration, Community action, Data, Health equity, Maternal health, Models, Policy, Pregnancy, Resources for professionals

Allen C; Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 2024. Looking back, looking forward: The history and vision of AIM. Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health , (AIM for Safer Birth Podcast Series)

Annotation: In this podcast episode, host Christie Allen talks with renowned maternal health expert Dr. Elliott Main. A pioneering figure in maternal mortality review and quality care initiatives, Dr. Main discusses the history and evolution of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Together, they explore the challenges and triumphs of addressing severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S., the early groundwork that led to AIM, and the collaborative efforts that turned ideas into actionable tools. Dr. Main also shares his thoughts on the future of maternal health and the "one thing" he believes is critical to driving change moving forward. This episode is part of the AIM for Safer Birth series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Keywords: Collaboration, History, Initiatives, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Models, Resources for professionals

Allen C; Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 2024. Keeping the ground we gain: Sustainability . Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health , (AIM for Safer Birth Podcast Series)

Annotation: in this podcast episode, host Christie Allen talks with Audra Summers and Ashley Rainey about Indiana's innovative use of the AIM Patient Safety Bundles to drive sustainable change in maternal care. Audra and Ashley share their experiences implementing and maintaining quality improvements across Indiana's 75 delivery facilities. They discuss the importance of collaboration, the integration of safety measures into daily practices, and how sustainability is achieved through data-driven methods and cultural shifts. The episode is part of the AIM for Safer Birth series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Keywords: Indiana, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Resources for professionals, Safety, State initiatives

Supported by the Community Health Acceleration Partnership, Merck for Mothers, and Pritzker Children's Initiative. . 2024. Postpartum Medicaid implementation issue brief (Version 1.5). Afton Bloom, 20 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief discusses the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months following birth, which states have been able to implement since April 2022. It examines how this extension supports improved access to perinatal and postpartum care but requires complementary state actions to be fully effective. The brief highlights key challenges in postpartum care, including care fragmentation, workforce shortages, and barriers to implementation at system, community, and individual levels. It outlines four solution areas: developing comprehensive standards of care, expanding dyadic care models, increasing workforce support, and providing education and technical assistance. The document concludes with specific recommendations for funders to support implementation efforts at local, state, and national levels to improve maternal health outcomes and advance health equity.

Keywords: Barriers, Financing, Health care reform, Initiatives, Maternal health, Medicaid, Model programs, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Resources for professionals, patient education materials

Association of State Public Health Nutritionists. 2024. Children’s Healthy Weight Capacity Building Project evaluation guidance . Tucson, AZ: Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, 82 pp.

Annotation: This workbook provides guidance for public health practitioners on conducting evaluations for the Children’s Healthy Weight Capacity Building Project. It explains core concepts such as evaluative thinking and outlines steps for developing a theory of change and a "tearless" logic model to clarify program goals. The workbook details various data collection and analysis methods, including photovoice, appreciative inquiry, and the World Café approach, while emphasizing culturally responsive and equitable evaluation practices. It also presents strategies for sharing results through data parties, infographics, and success stories to engage stakeholders. Appendices provide protocols for conducting focus groups and interviews, qualitative data analysis steps, and a list of evaluator competencies.

Keywords: Child health, Evaluation, Guidelines, Models, Nutrition, Public health, Training for professionals

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2024. OB emergency triage and care resource workbook. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 20 pp.

Annotation: This workbook addresses obstetric emergency triage and care for health care providers, particularly those in nonobstetric settings and maternity care deserts. The workbook presents evidence on the critical access challenges facing pregnant and postpartum patients, noting that one in 12 women live in areas with low or no access to maternal health care and that 41.7% of Missouri counties are defined as maternity care deserts compared to 32.6% nationally. It outlines comprehensive strategies for hospitals without obstetric services, including implementation of education and simulation drills for emergency deliveries and maternal emergencies such as hypertension, sepsis, and hemorrhage, creation of emergency medication kits, use of algorithms and early warning systems, and establishment of partnerships with tertiary medical centers for consultation and transfer agreements. The workbook details the complete Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Emergency Triage and Care Patient Safety Bundle components, covering readiness requirements such as rapid response team identification, recognition and prevention measures including pregnancy screening protocols, response protocols for routine births in nonobstetric settings and obstetric emergencies, and reporting and systems learning processes including huddles and debriefs. It emphasizes trauma-informed care principles and respectful, equitable care for all patients, and includes extensive resources for obstetric triage tools, emergency protocols, simulation training materials, transport guidelines, telehealth consultation resources, and patient education materials. The workbook specifically addresses Missouri's challenges with rural hospital closures and provides evidence-based practices to ensure continual readiness for obstetric patients in all hospital settings.

Keywords: Access to care, Emergency health services, Missouri, Obstetrical care, Resources for professionals, Rural health, State initiatives, Triage

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2024. Maternal sepsis resource workbook. Jefferson, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 16 pp.

Annotation: This workbook serves as a resource for health care providers addressing maternal sepsis recognition and treatment in pregnant and postpartum patients. The workbook presents evidence on maternal sepsis as the body's life-threatening response to infection, noting that between 2017 and 2019, infection was the fourth leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States, with Black women having more than twice the risk of maternal sepsis compared to white women. Included are key challenges in maternal sepsis recognition and recommended procedural approaches. The workbook details the complete Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Sepsis in Obstetric Care Patient Safety Bundle components, covering readiness requirements including multidisciplinary team protocols and rapid response procedures, recognition and prevention measures such as evidence-based sepsis screening tools and infection prevention protocols, response protocols emphasizing early antibiotic administration within one hour and source control measures, and reporting and systems learning processes including multidisciplinary case reviews and bias consideration. The workbook addresses Missouri-specific data showing infections as the fifth leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths from 2018-2020, with sepsis as the fourth leading indicator for severe maternal morbidity and significant racial disparities noted, and includes extensive resources for sepsis evaluation flow charts, screening tools, simulation training scenarios, order sets, and patient education materials.

Keywords: Emergency health services, Guidelines, Infectious complications complications, Missouri, Protocols, Resources for professionals, Sepsis, State initiatives

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2024. Severe hypertension in pregnancy resource workbook . Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 16 pp.

Annotation: This workbook provides guidance for implementing the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) patient safety bundle on severe hypertension in pregnancy. It summarizes the evidence on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including classifications, diagnostic criteria, and treatment recommendations from ACOG, with a focus on timely treatment of severe hypertension (≥160/110 mm Hg) with first-line antihypertensive medications within 30-60 minutes to prevent maternal stroke. The workbook discusses considerations in diagnosing and managing preeclampsia, which can progress rapidly and become life-threatening without prompt intervention. It highlights data on hypertensive disorders from the Missouri Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review and provides action steps for implementation of the AIM bundle among Missouri maternal health stakeholders. Resources and references are included for further education and training.

Keywords: Guidelines, Hypertension, Maternal health, Missouri, Perinatal care, Pregnancy induced hypertension, Prenatal care, Resources for professionals, State initiatives

National Association of Community Health Centers. 2024. Improving quality in pregnancy and postpartum care: Implementation guide. Bethesda, MD: National Association of Community Health Centers,

Thomas N, Bever J, Biviji R, Moton H, Lober A. 2023 . Addressing perinatal mental health with a diverse workforce: A national call to action. Bethesda, MD: Project HOPE: The People-to-People Foundation,

Annotation: This call to action provides an overview of perinatal mental health mood disorders, including racial and ethnic disparities in screening and treatment. It describes state and federal legislation and policy addressing perinatal mental health workforce diversity and recommends solutions to help bolster and build diversity among mental health providers.

Keywords: Health professionals, Policy, Work force

Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health. 2023. School-based dental sealant program manual. [Columbus, OH]: Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, 48 pp.

Annotation: This manual provides professional recommendations and states’ expectations for school-based dental sealant programs (SBSPs) under the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Contents include local program operations, regulatory compliance, compliance with ODH policies, SBSP eligibility, sample program forms, site assessment, infection control, clinical materials and methods, quality assurance, performance benchmarks and standards, reporting, ODH program reviews, compliance with other ODH requirements, Medicaid billing and collection, reimbursement, and filing claims. The appendices contain sample forms, records, letters, and other practice-related materials.

Keywords: Children, Dental sealants, Forms, Guideline adherence, Manuals, Ohio, Oral health, Parents, Resources for professionals, School based clinics, State programs

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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.