Eliminating health inequities: national goals and developing programs.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Infant and maternal mortality rates declined significantly in the 20th century, but the rate of decline has slowed.
• Persistent health disparities exist between racial and ethnic groups, particularly for Black and White women and infants.
• Addressing these disparities is a key challenge for improving perinatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify effective strategies for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health.
• To highlight community-based interventions that can reduce infant mortality across all groups.
• To inform policy decisions for future public health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing public health programs and policy initiatives.
• Analysis of trends in maternal and infant mortality rates.
• Identification of promising interventions for federal funding.

Main Results:

• The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program and home visiting programs are identified as promising interventions.
• Expansion of these programs is expected to receive federal funding.
• These programs offer a potential vehicle to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.

Conclusions:

• Community-based interventions are essential for improving perinatal outcomes and reducing infant mortality.
• Targeted programs are needed to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health.
• Continued investment and expansion of programs like Fetal and Infant Mortality Review and home visiting are recommended to achieve ambitious public health goals.