The findings of the study imply a critical need for increased access to care for all pregnant people, especially those at highest risk of IPV who may also experience barriers to care because of racism, bias, financial constraints, distance to care, and other factors.
Maternal & Child Health
Study from U of M School of Public Health selected as “Editor’s Choice” by Women’s Health Issues
A study from researchers at the U of M School of Public Health (SPH) has been selected by editorial staff at the prestigious Women’s Health Issues journal as its Editor’s Choice selection for the November/December 2022 edition. The SPH study focused on the uneven distribution of maternal illness and death in the U.S., with some populations bearing substantially greater risk, including Medicaid-insured individuals, rural residents and Black and Indigenous patients.
Reducing risk of maternal health problems among Medicaid patients could have additional benefits in reducing disparities
Adolescent use of muscle-building supplements linked to later steroid use and other issues
The study co-authored by Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer found that young people who used protein supplements were also two to five times more likely to use steroids.
Addressing Racial Inequalities in Maternal and Infant Care
Birthing people people of color and their babies face inequitable quality of care. Associate Professor Rachel Hardeman is working hard to change that picture.
Medicaid expansion had little effect on preventing the closure of hospital obstetric services
Research from Assistant Professor Caitlin Carroll found that expansion reduced hospital closures, but only among hospitals that did not have obstetric units.
International study shows risk factors in childhood are related to cardiovascular events in adulthood
Professor David Jacobs co-led a study that found children with only mildly elevated body mass index, blood pressure or lipids, and youth who start smoking may be at higher risk for adult cardiovascular disease.
Research explores rural hospital administrators’ beliefs on offering obstetric care
The study led by Professor Katy Backes Kozhimannil found that administrators of U.S. rural hospitals providing obstetric care reported needing at least 200 annual births for safety and financial viability.
Household food insecurity during adolescence is a risk factor for future disordered eating and high weight status in young adulthood
PhD candidate and researcher Laura Hooper found that 21% of people who experienced food insecurity during adolescence started binge eating in young adulthood.
New research examines the association between structural racism in labor markets and infant birth weight
Postdoctoral fellow Bert Chantarat and Associate Professor Rachel Hardeman found that, for U.S.-born Black pregnant people, living in racist labor markets was associated with low newborn birth weight specifically in the southern regions of the United States.
Culturally-centered care increases feelings of respect, autonomy for birthing people of color
Associate Professor Rachel Hardeman and predoctoral trainee J’Mag Karbeah found that alternative care models centering the birthing person’s culture and community may improve their experiences and health during pregnancy.
Over-policing linked to higher odds of preterm birth
Associate Professor Rachel Hardeman found that U.S.-born Black birthing people living in areas with high police contact experienced a 100% higher chance of preterm birth compared to residents in low-contact areas.
