Maternal and Child Health Research
Improving maternal health equity through workforce development at UNC
April 19, 2022 The Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center at UNC-Chapel Hill aims to address systemic racism in maternal health and reduce inequities in maternal mortality through workforce training that centers equity.
Fewer women with disabilities use modern contraception in India, study finds
March 18, 2022 Women with disabilities in Rajasthan, India, are less likely to use modern forms of contraception compared to other users of family planning services, according to a new study from the Gillings School.
Women in urban Senegal seek less biased contraceptive access
February 21, 2022 Women in urban Senegal seeking family planning services tend to avoid providers with a bias that would prevent them from acquiring their preferred method of contraception, according to new research from Dr. Ilene Speizer.
Gillings students tackle maternal mental health in two equity-focused publications
February 15, 2022 Developing equitable policies to support mental health during the perinatal period — the months/years before and after birth — requires addressing the intersecting effects of racism, poverty, lack of childcare and inadequate postpartum support.
Looking at the impact of COVID-19 on exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya and beyond
February 14, 2022 An ongoing project reveals a perceived sense of milk insufficiency among mothers in Kenya due to food insecurity caused by the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Abstract: February 14, 2022
February 14, 2022
Mental health may impact how quickly men connect to HIV care, study in Cameroon finds
January 10, 2022 Research conducted in Cameroon demonstrates that people living with HIV who are initiating care commonly exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Among men, screening positive for a mental health disorder was associated with entering care with more advanced HIV symptoms — meaning men who are struggling with their mental health may wait longer to get tested for HIV or begin treatment.
Checking in with COVID-19 Gillings Innovation Labs
November 24, 2021 Five of the COVID-19 research projects funded through a special round of Gillings Innovation Laboratory awards (GILs) have now been completed, and the two remaining are expected to wrap in early 2022. Their work has been critical in influencing local and global pandemic response efforts through policy, practice and community engagement.
Building a better bassinet
November 9, 2021 Carolina faculty helped develop an innovative hospital bassinet that enables breastfeeding and chestfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and mother-infant bonding while improving newborn safety.
Positive social ‘nudges’ could encourage more providers to treat opioid use disorder
November 3, 2021 Positive social messaging can encourage more providers to seek training to administer medicine for opioid use disorder, which could lead to more patients gaining access to this life-saving treatment.
