Search Results: MCHLine

Annotation: This brief summarizes effective and efficient interventions provided by state maternal and child health (MCH) programs to improve the lives of mothers, children, and families, and that merit increased national investment. Topics include the Title V MCH Block Grant program; improving birth outcomes and maternal health; breastfeeding promotion; smoking cessation for pregnant women and mothers; newborn screening; ensuring childhood immunizations; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) for all children; early childhood programs; children's access to a medical home; preventing childhood injury; promoting adolescent health; adolescent pregnancy prevention and family planning services; and screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

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Keywords: Adolescent health, Breastfeeding promotion, Child health, Cost effectiveness, EPSDT, Families, Immunization, Injury prevention, Maternal health, Medical home, Neonatal screening, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Prevention services, Preventive health services, Sexually transmitted diseases, Smoking cessation, Smoking during pregnancy

Annotation: This book explores the relationships between weight gain during pregnancy and the short- and long-term health of both mother and infant. It builds on the 1990 Institute of Medicine's weight-gain guidelines, presenting updated target ranges and guidelines for proper measurement based on Body Mass Index (BMI), a comprehensive review of the literature, and an independent analysis of existing databases. The book is intended to assist practitioners who care for women of childbearing age, policy makers, educators, researchers, and pregnant women themselves in understanding the role of gestational weight gain in the promotion of optimal pregnancy outcomes. The book includes a specific range of recommended weight gain for obese women. A CD-Rom edition of the volume is contained in the back pocket.

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Keywords: Body composition, Body weight, CD-ROMs, Gestational weight gain, Guidelines, Infant health, Maternal health, Obesity, Pregnancy, Pregnancy outcome, Weight gain, Weight management

Annotation: This guide for clinicians summarizes clinical evidence comparing the safety of elective induction of labor at term with expectant management (waiting for spontaneous labor in a term pregnancy). The guide offers information about maternal and fetal outcomes when elective induction of labor is used and discusses the potential for harms and benefits. It does not address induction of labor for medical indications, nor does it compare the effectiveness of different labor induction methods. The source material for the guide is based on a systematic review of research studies published between 1964 and 2007.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Induced labor, Infant health, Pregnancy outcome, Reproductive health, Women's health

Annotation: This working paper evaluates how the introduction of WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) across U.S. counties has impacted the health of infants. Since a major goal of the WIC program is to improve the nutritional well-being and health of low income families, the study focused largely on changes in the birth weight of infants in counties that have implemented WIC. Significant findings are summarized in the study.

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Keywords: Infant health, Low income groups, Nutrition programs, Pregnancy outcome , Program evaluation, WIC program

Annotation: This study evaluates the association between enrollment by pregnant women in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and birth weight outcomes in the state of Connecticut. The study is based on data collected from singleton birth records in the state and corresponding records among women enrolled in the state's HUSKY A public insurance program. The report presents data on nine risk factors for low birth weight controlled in the research model: Race/ethnicity, maternal age, education level, marital status, parity, previous lost pregnancy, prenatal care initiation, maternal medical risk factors, and tobacco use during pregnancy. The results -- reported in the form of birth weight outcomes -- are based on the enrollment of pregnant women at least 12 weeks prior to giving birth.

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Keywords: Connecticut, Low birthweight infants, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Public health programs, Research, State programs, WIC Program

Annotation: Using data from the National Vital Statistics for the years 1978-1988 and the 1979 National Longitudinal Study of Youth (NLSY), this paper evaluates the consequences of minimum drinking age laws (MLDA) on poor birth outcomes. The paper provides background and discusses previous literature and data, presents the empirical strategy, discusses the effect of MLDA laws on birth outcomes (including birthweight, prematurity, and congenital anomalies) and on the composition of births (i.e., the composition of maternal and paternal characteristics and changes in drinking and sexual behavior associated with MLDA laws), evidence from NLSY, and the effect of MLDA on prenatal behaviors.

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Keywords: Adolescent behavior, Adolescent parents, Adolescent sexuality, Alcohol consumption behavior, Blacks, Congenital abnormalities, Infant health, Legislation, Low birthweight, Pregnancy outcome, Prematurity

Annotation: This paper evaluates the health impact of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) during the 1960s and 1970s. Specifically, the authors examine the impact of FSP rollout on birthweight, neonatal mortality, and fertility. The paper introduces FSP; discusses background literature, food stamps and infant health, data, and methodology; and presents results.

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Keywords: Birthweight, Federal programs, Fertility, Food stamp program, Health, Infant mortality, Low income groups, Pregnancy outcome, Research

Annotation: This archived webcast from March 20, 2008 discusses patterns of women's weight gain before, during, and after pregnancy and how these patterns are associated with poor pregnancy and birth outcomes and contribute to long term negative health outcomes for women and their children. Speakers describe the Action Learning Collaborative and how it has worked to promote a healthy weight in women of reproductive age. Eight multidisciplinary teams from state and local health departments described how they formed effective partnerships, determined activities appropriate for their communities and states, and the lessons learned from their experiences. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Audiovisual materials, Gestational weight gain, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Reproductive health, Women's health

Annotation: This archived webcast from November 20, 2008 provides MCH leaders and practitioners with intervention strategies and resources for tackling the prevention of preterm birth in their communities and learning about the successes and challenges from three best practice examples. Topics include medical perspectives of preterm birth, the complexity of the problem, and a summary of prematurity awareness activities; a description of the March of Dimes efforts to address the growing crisis of preterm birth; new approaches to the prevention of preterm birth; how March of Dimes chapters and MCH experts are addressing the growing crisis in their states and communities; and new educational tools and resources for addressing preterm birth interventions. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Community participation, Multimedia, Pregnancy outcome, Preterm birth, Prevention services, Program descriptions, Public awareness campaigns, State initiatives

Annotation: This fact sheet offers guidance to help expectant mothers have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Based on lessons learned from a review of infant deaths throughout the state of Indiana, the fact sheet includes guidelines to help expectant and new parents (1) begin prenatal care early on; (2) avoid smoking; (3) watch weight gain during pregnancy; (4) recognize the signs of preterm labor and what to do about it; (5) pay attention to fetal movement; and (6); practice safe sleep habits to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. One side of the fact sheet is in English and the other side is in Spanish.

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Keywords: Consumer education materials, Guidelines, Indiana, Infant death, Infants, Perinatal health, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Prenatal care, Prevention programs, SIDS, Spanish language materials, State initiatives

Annotation: This report summarizes a workshop convened in May 30-31, 2006 to review U.S. trends in maternal weight (prior to, during, and after pregnancy) among different populations of women; examine the emerging research findings related to the complex relationship of biological, behavioral, psychological, and social interactions that affect maternal and pregnancy weight on maternal and child health outcomes; and discuss interventions that use this relationship to promote appropriate weight during pregnancy and postpartum. Additional topics include short- and long-term maternal and child health outcomes, approaches to promoting appropriate maternal weight, and emerging themes. Each of the seven sections in the report contains a summary and references. The appendix includes the workshop agenda and the list of participants. Statistical information is provided in charts and graphs throughout the report.

Keywords: Conferences, Gestational weight gain, Infant health, Maternal health, Pregnancy, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Racial factors, Socioeconomic factors, Statistical data, Weight management, Women's health

Annotation: This fact sheet provides information about how pregnancy outcomes are affected by a woman's health before she becomes pregnant. The fact sheets includes recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the following areas: (1) individual responsibility across the lifespan, (2) consumer awareness, (3) preventive visits, (4) intervention for identified risks, (5) interconception care, (6) prepregancy checkup, (7) health insurance coverage for women with low incomes, (8) public health programs and strategies, (9) research, and (10) monitoring improvements. The role of maternal and child health is also discussed.

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Keywords: Health insurance, Intervention, Low income groups, MCH services, Preconception care, Pregnancy outcome, Prevention, Programs, Public health, Reproductive health, Research, Uninsured persons, Women's health

Annotation: This books assesses the problem of preterm birth in the United States with respect to both its causes and outcomes. It addresses the need for research involving clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science disciplines. It is organized into sections including a summary of preterm birth in America, measurement of fetal and infant maturity, causes of preterm birth, diagnosis and treatment of preterm labor, consequences of preterm birth, and research and policy. Each section contains recommendations. References are provided and appendices include data sources and methods, several essays on prematurity and geographic variation, ethical issues, costs associated with preterm birth, and slected programs funding research. Biographies for the authoring committee and staff are provided along with an index.

Keywords: Infant health, MCH research, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Premature infants, Premature labor, Prematurity, Prenatal diagnosis, Prenatal health, Preterm birth

Annotation: This dissertation contributes to three aspects of the existing literature on race, ethnicity, and birth outcomes. First, it uses a propensity scoring estimating method to re-assess the differences in birth outcomes across racial and ethnic groups. Second, it looks at biracial infants. Third, it investigates the competing power of different birth outcome measures as predictors of infant mortality. Conclusions, and implications for research and policy are included. Statistical information is presented in figures and tables at the end of the report. A bibliography and an abstract are included, as well.

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Keywords: Ethnic factors, Infant health, Infant mortality, MCH research, Pregnancy outcome, Public policy, Racial factors, Statistical data

Annotation: This webinar, held on May 24, 2007, provides examples of how local health departments formed relationships with disciplines and systems to develop strategies to eliminate health inequalities in infant mortality. Contents include the webinar goals and objectives and speaker bios and presentations. Topics include background on the history of infant mortality; how various social, institutional, and environmental factors contribute to infant mortality; and examples of local health department involvement in multi-faceted approaches to reducing infant mortality among African American populations. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Community role, Infant mortality, MCH research, Multimedia, Pregnancy outcome, Public health

Annotation: This document comprises advance materials for the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request, held on March 27-29, 2006, in Bethesda, MD. It includes a conference agenda; lists of panel members, speakers, and planning committee members; and abstracts of proposed presentations, which are divided into the following categories: (1) trends and incidence of cesarean delivery over time and (2) short- and long-term benefits and harms to the mother and the baby.

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Keywords: Cesarean section, Infant health, Pregnancy outcome, Repeat Cesarean birth, Reproductive health, Trends, Vaginal birth, Vaginal birth after Cesarean, Women's health

Annotation: This statement reflects the panel's assessment of medical knowledge available at the conference held on March 27-29, 2006, in Bethesda, MD by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR). Topics include trends and incidence of cesarean delivery over time, short- and long-term benefits and harms to the mother and the baby, what factors influence benefits and harms, and what future research directions need to be considered. Rosters of panel members and the planning committee are included.

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Keywords: Cesarean section, Conferences, Infant health, Pregnancy outcome, Repeat Cesarean birth, Reproductive health, Trends, Vaginal birth, Vaginal birth after Cesarean, Women's health

Annotation: This brief examines home visiting as a strategy employed by state health agencies to deliver public health interventions aimed at improving birth outcomes. It provides an overview of home visiting programs; a discussion of goals, target populations, common service components, outcomes, and financing of state level programs; and examples of programs from four states and one territory. Additional topics include benefits and costs and program challenges. Resources and references conclude the brief. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Case studies, Early intervention, Georgia, Home care services, Home visiting, MCH research, Maine, Montana, Oklahoma, Postpartum care, Pregnancy counseling, Pregnancy outcomes, Prenatal care, Public health services, Puerto Rico, State MCH programs

Annotation: This book, which is intended for students and others involved in public or community health with an interest in learning about a geographic information system (GIS), provides information on how to use a GIS to improve birth outcomes. The book is divided into the following chapters: (1) explaining the geography of infant health, (2) an introduction to GIS (data), (3) an introduction to GIS (spatial), (4) the geography of health risks, (5) GIS and spatial analysis: keeping it simple, (6) advanced spatial analysis, (7) spatial/temporal stability in neighborhoods of risk: the mobility of mothers, (8) patient confidentiality, (9) creating the Baton Rouge Healthy Start GIS, (10) bioterrorism, pregnancy, and old white men, and (11) rural health issues and their investigation in a GIS.

Keywords: Communities, Confidentiality, Geographic factors, Healthy Start, Infant health, Infant mortality, Louisiana, Mothers, Pregnancy outcome, Prevention programs, Public health, Rural populations, Urban populations

Annotation: This paper describes a sampling of policies, programs, and practices in the public and private sectors that typify how some agencies have built upon the putative relationship between periodontal disease during pregnancy and unfavorable birth outcomes. This review provides information on how academics, insurers, state governments, policy organizations, professional societies, practitioners, and others have featured this oral-systemic connection in their efforts to address the oral health of pregnant women. This paper was commissioned for the "Research to Policy and Practice: Periodontal Health and Birth Outcomes" forum held on December 11-12, 2006, in Washington, DC.

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Keywords: MCH research, Oral health, Periodontal diseases, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women