Maternal and child health is a cornerstone of public health. Maternal mortality is widely recognized as a key indicator of a nation’s health system performance; when women die from preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth, it signals failures in access to quality care, social support, and broader structural conditions. The consequences extend far beyond the individual: when mothers die, families are destabilized, infants face significantly higher risks of illness and death, and communities bear long-term social and economic impacts. Ensuring that women can experience healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries is foundational to strengthening families and improving population health.

Importantly, most maternal, newborn, and child deaths and complications are preventable through timely, evidence-based interventions and strong health systems. Advances in clinical care, public health practice, and data-driven policy have shown that preventable morbidity can be reduced with coordinated efforts during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum and early childhood periods. Studying maternal and child health equips us with the knowledge to identify root causes, reduce disparities, and implement effective solutions that ensure every mother and child has the opportunity not only to survive, but to thrive.

Mission Statement

The Division of Maternal and Child Health advances the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families in Maryland and beyond through data-driven research, workforce development, and collaborative public health action.

Our division is involved in research and public health practice:

• Examining maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among pregnant and postpartum women.
• Using data science and large datasets to explore risk factors and causes of adverse perinatal outcomes.
• Developing and testing quality improvement interventions to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes and care experiences.
• Supporting community health workers reach and engage families in clinical and non-clinical settings.
• Implementing and learning from obstetric surveillance systems in various settings.