... where leaders, researchers, and practitioners in maternal and child health share stories about policies and practices to promote the health of all families.

Medicaid Expansion Offers Opportunities for Improving Maternal and Child Health Substantial new research shows that the adoption of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to significant improvements in access to health coverage for women of childbearing age. Better access to coverage makes possible the continuum of care many women’s health professional societies and community advocacy organizations recommend to increase women’s use of preventive care, reduce avoidable adverse obstetric and gynecological health outcomes, increase early diagnosis of disease, and reduce maternal mortality. New studies also show that healthier mothers mean healthier babies – another benefit for states that expand Medicaid.
Health Equity for CYSHCN: What Does it Mean for Title V? More than 30 Title V CYSHCN directors recently discussed this question at the 2019 meeting of AMCHP's Leadership Institute for CYSHCN Directors (LICD). The meeting followed a presentation on "Health Equity and Leadership: Implications for Maternal and Child Health" by Tawara Goode from Georgetown University's National Center for Cultural Competence. Goode charged everyone with thinking about health equity as social justice in health. That is, no one is denied the possibility to be healthy because they belong to a group that has historically been politically, economically, or socially disadvantaged.
It Takes a Village Project When the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Office of Health Disparities (OHD) disaggregated maternal and infant health statistics for Asians and Pacific Islanders in 2010, the outcomes were shocking. Since last reviewing the outcomes in 2005, the infant mortality rate for Pacific Islanders (PI) had almost doubled. Other birth outcomes disparities in pre-term birth, prenatal care, maternal obesity, folic acid consumption, and birth spacing also surfaced. Pacific Islander mothers and babies were no longer hiding in the healthier outcomes of their Asian comrades.
Fenced Out: Reflections on How Youth Engagement Tipped the Power Balance for LGBT People in New York Sometimes you sense change when it is happening. You feel a balancing of the power scales in the atmosphere. That balance doesn't last; it always seems to shift back, but for a moment you know that you have just witnessed a pivot toward equity and you see just a little bit of power slip from the grasp of those who hoard it and use it to oppress vulnerable people.
A Jarring Health Equity Conversation Shifts Our Thinking When I recently joined a meeting of the Infant Mortality Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network on Social Determinants of Health (IM CoIIN SDOH), I didn't expect to feel jarred by the discussion. But Richard Hofrichter, Ph.D., walked us through a health equity experience that left me and members of the state teams thinking very differently about some basic approaches to our work.
How Well-Child Visits Can Advance Health Equity The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is committed to reducing health disparities and advancing health equity for all children.^1,2,3 The AAP operationalizes this goal through policies, partnerships, and initiatives, like Bright Futures. Health equity, as defined in Bright Futures Guidelines, 4^th Edition, is the "attainment of the highest level of health for all people."⁴ Bright Futures expands to include that "achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally, with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and health care disparities."⁴
Considering Health Equity for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Families: Using Data and Quality Improvement For children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD), inequities based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and location of residence can make it exceedingly difficult for them and their families to reach their full potential for health and life in their community. Using data and quality improvement (QI) strategies can identify modifiable, actionable aspects of providing access and coordinated care delivery to advance health equity.
A View from Washington: Spotlight on MCH Champion Robin Kelly In this edition of Pulse focused on equity, we are excited to feature U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who has established herself as a leader in promoting healthy equity. She serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chairs the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and is the lead sponsor of the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act (MOMMA's Act) to address maternal mortality.
From the President: What My Daughter Teaches Me about Equity I am a white, heterosexual, cisgender woman. I have a good, stable job. I have affordable, stable housing. I have health insurance that covers vision, dental, and mental health. I have access to and can buy nutritious food. I was able to afford child care. I have all the privilege that comes with being part of the dominant culture.

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Medicaid Expansion Offers Opportunities for Improving Maternal and Child Health

Health Equity for CYSHCN: What Does it Mean for Title V?