Evidence of health disparities affecting newborns abounds. Although quality improvement (QI) methodology is often suggested as a tool to advance health equity, the impact of QI initiatives on disparities is variable. QI work may mitigate, worsen, or perpetuate existing disparities. QI…

Note: This Evidence to Action brief was updated in January 2021 to include a note from the authors on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s health insurance coverage. The remaining content of the brief has not changed from original publication. Despite the well-documented…

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to surge across the U.S., many are feeling apprehensive about sending more of our teachers and youth back into the classroom. Yet, as school testing protocols become more widely available and public health departments and schools prepare…

As health care systems and payers are increasingly focused on the social needs of patients, there has been an emphasis on screening in the health care setting as a way to understand the support families require. However, we lack robust, evidence-based means of determining and…

On behalf of the Maternal Health Subgroup of the Pennsylvania Prenatal-to-Age-Three Collaborative, PolicyLab experts signed on to a joint letter to Sens. Casey and Toomey proposing expanding Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum as one important strategy for addressing the…

Environmental and community context earliest in the life course have a profound effect on life-long health outcomes. Yet, standard needs assessments for maternal and child health (MCH) programs often overlook the full range of influences affecting health in-utero and early childhood…

PolicyLab experts responded to a Request for Comment on Pennsylvania's proposed changes to child care subsidy regulations "Subsidized Child Care Eligibility Requirements." More specifically, the experts provide their feedback to various proposed changes to the regulations in…

PolicyLab responded to a request for information from the Health Resources and Services Administration seeking input as they begin a new strategic plan for the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. In this letter, PolicyLab draws on relevant research and expertise from our community of…

The low rates of actual contraceptive failure and high rates of contraceptive use among young women highlights that choice of contraceptive method and patterns of contraceptive use greatly influence unintended pregnancy risk. Promoting contraceptive use among adolescent and young…

Despite significant national attention to shootings involving children, and resulting calls for gun reform, little has been done to address gaps in research or promote policies that can help prevent child injury and death from firearms. As of 2018, firearm-related injury remained the…