Maternal and Child Health Research

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Who gets admitted to medical education in low- and middle-income countries — and why does it matter?

March 31, 2020
Recent studies have found that doctors and nurses in low- and middle-income countries are often absent from work, sometimes seek unauthorized payments for services, and may treat patients in disrespectful or abusive ways. UNC researchers suggest a solution: reforming medical education practices to focus on admitting students who are motivated by a strong desire to serve the needs of their community, rather than by receiving external rewards.

New research could help caregivers identify exclusive breastfeeding challenges in the first week of life

March 11, 2020
While breastfeeding is recommended as the sole source of nutrition in the first six months of a baby's life, for some new moms, that is not always possible. Dr. Alison Stuebe and her research team have identified a set of clues that can help clinicians recognize in as early as the first week when feeding interventions and supplemental nutrition may be necessary.

Governments need rigorous and consistent standards to address environmental health for people who are displaced

March 6, 2020
Forcibly displaced people face a number of environmental health challenges that can vastly differ depending on the response by the countries that host them. New research from the Gillings School calls for a consistent and thorough set of standards that can address these challenges holistically.

Distress, trauma are common themes among mothers of very preterm and low birthweight babies, UNC study finds

February 10, 2020
Having a baby in the NICU can exacerbate postpartum distress related to birth trauma and disrupt lactation, according to new study that includes research from Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist.