The peak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to decreased maternal and child health care engagement, especially among marginalized populations. Existing disparities in prenatal care access and quality faced by pregnant immigrant people are likely to be amplified by the pandemic. We conducted…

In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there were 1205 maternal deaths in 2021 in the US, marking a substantial uptrend from 861 deaths in 2020 and 754 in 2019. This sharp 40% increase in the maternal mortality rate to 32.9 deaths per 100 000 live…

Pregnancy and early parenthood can be challenging transitional times for many families, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). Over 8 million children live with a parent with SUD and parental drug use has been attributed to rising rates of family instability and…

Promoting interconception health can improve birth outcomes and long-term women's health. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based behavior change strategy that can address interconception health behaviors and health care engagement. This scoping review assessed the evidence…

PolicyLab wrote a letter responding to Delaware's Department of Health and Social Services' Proposed Public Notice on Postpartum Continuous Eligibility. In this letter, PolicyLab experts offer comments in support of the proposed amendment to the Medicaid State Plan, with a particular…

Integrated models of primary care for parenting teens, in which teens and infants are cared for by the same clinical team on the same day, are associated with reduced repeated pregnancies and increased uptake of contraception and immunization. Our purpose was to determine how…

Chronic parental stress may negatively impact health among both parents and children. Adverse neighborhood social conditions like crime may increase stress while a supportive neighborhood may buffer stress and promote well-being. Our objective was to examine associations between…

Pregnancy complications may recur and are associated with potentially modifiable risks. The role of interconception preventive care in reducing repeat pregnancy complications is understudied. This retrospective cohort used 2007-2012 Medicaid claims from 12 states. Included women who…

The primary objective was to estimate the initiation and adherence rates of 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPC) among eligible mothers in a statewide population-based cohort of Medicaid enrollees. The secondary objectives were to (1) determine the association of maternal…

Untreated postpartum depression drives health disparities and can negatively interfere with a caregiver’s attachment and engagement, significantly affecting the mental health, development and safety of their child. While pediatric offices often have a consistent, positive connection to…