Maternal and Child Health News
Some sexual minority groups are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence
August 3, 2020 A new study from researchers at the UNC Gillings School finds that certain groups of sexual minorities are more likely to experience physical, psychological and sexual violence at the hands of a romantic partner.
Leading maternal health advocacy groups tackle barriers to equitable maternity care for women and families of color
July 14, 2020 $4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding will support COVID-19 related telehealth access and infrastructure for maternal health services.
North Carolina sees highest estimates to-date in prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in 8-year-olds
June 25, 2020 The 2020 Community Report on Autism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which includes research from Dr. Julie Daniels, has found that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder detected in 8-year-olds in North Carolina was significantly higher than the national average. It also found that the prevalence detected in 4-year-olds was lower.
McRee wins Sidney S. Chipman Award for outstanding maternal and child health contributions
June 22, 2020 Members of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Department of Maternal and Child Health have selected 2011 graduate Dr. Annie-Laurie McRee to receive the Sidney S. Chipman Award for 2020.
Are we protecting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with COVID-19 through research or from it?
May 18, 2020 Without data on the effect of investigational drugs like remdesivir on pregnant and lactating women, many health care providers face a dilemma about whether to advise mothers infected with COVID-19 to suspend breastfeeding while undergoing treatment. In a new commentary, Dr. Alison Stuebe concludes that this could have a detrimental impact.
The Gillings Community Responds to COVID-19: Keeping Communities Informed
May 11, 2020 The digital space has made information about COVID-19 more accessible than ever – but not more accurate. Students in maternal and child health, the Public Health Leadership Program and environmental sciences and engineering are generating solutions to communicate public health information factually and effectively to communities in need.
Stuebe and Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute collaborate on federal law and health policy report
May 4, 2020 Dr. Alison Stuebe, in collaboration with the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, has co-authored a new report from the federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The report seeks to raise awareness about the role law and policy have to play in increasing the rates of breastfeeding in the U.S. as part of a broader strategy to improve population health.
Eight faculty members win 2020 Teaching Innovation Awards
April 17, 2020 Students at the Gillings School voted recently to select eight of the School’s most innovative classroom teachers for the annual Teaching Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Should mothers with COVID-19 be separated from their newborns?
April 9, 2020 In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, questions have arisen about how to prevent the transmission of the virus to newborns from mothers who are suspected or confirmed to be infected. Dr. Alison Stuebe has written a commentary in Breastfeeding Medicine addressing the risks and benefits of temporary separation.
Prevalence of pregnancy UTIs underscores need for better screening, treatment in low- and middle-income countries
April 7, 2020 Prenatal screening for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is standard practice in high-income countries because of the risk that untreated UTIs pose during pregnancy. But women in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are still in need of screening and treatment that is accessible and accurate due to social and environmental risk factors that may contribute to the high prevalence of UTIs in pregnancy.
