Maternal and Child Health News
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center at UNC Gillings School redesignated for 4 more years
January 13, 2021 The Department of Maternal and Child Health at the UNC Gillings School has been the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Center for Research Evidence for Sexual and Reproductive Health since 2008. In fall 2020, it was redesignated as such for the third time.
Housing stress linked with higher rates of child maltreatment
November 17, 2020 When families are dealing with stress over housing insecurity, there is a greater risk of child maltreatment and Child Protective Services becoming involved. These findings come from three researchers at the UNC Gillings School.
AJPH editorial: Populism threatens the public health response to COVID-19
November 13, 2020 In an editorial published in the American Journal of Public Health, doctoral candidate Caitlin Williams and Dr. Benjamin Mason Meier write that populist policies have hindered public health responses to COVID-19 and could have lasting consequences on health and human rights.
Class of 1970 celebrates 50 years of reproductive empowerment
October 27, 2020 This year marks the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the class of 1970 from the UNC School of Public Health. The accomplishments of remarkable alumni from that cohort exemplify the School's spirit of public health education and innovation over the past 50 years.
Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute to support wider adoption of breastfeeding through $1.3M subcontract
October 1, 2020 Breastfeeding is a vital component of newborn and early child health, and members of the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI) at the Gillings School of Global Public Health are on the case. Faculty and staff within CGBI have received a subcontract for $1,352,970 from Abt Associates to provide training and technical assistance on the implementation of the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
Palmquist responds to COVID-19, advocates and supports best practices for infant and young child feeding during pandemic
August 25, 2020 Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist, assistant professor of maternal and child health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, studies infant and young child feeding in emergencies and other situations of extreme adversity. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, her understanding of the information environment and needs allowed her to contribute expert guidance about best practices for perinatal mothers, infants and children where it is needed most.
Public health education needs a human rights focus
August 19, 2020 Three Gillings School students — representing the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels — and a faculty member co-authored a commentary in The Lancet Public Health on the future of human rights education within the field of public health.
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.
