Before Birth & Beyond: Improving Care in MCH

S1, E3 Show Notes

EPISODE 2 SUMMARY: In this episode of Before Birth & Beyond, In honor of Men's Health Month and Father's Day, our main story this episode showcases the vital role fathers have in maternal and child health, with an enlightening conversation with two black fatherhood experts. We also reflect on Juneteenth and hear about NICHQ's summer quality improvement course, along with a little bit of pride to round out the month. 

Equity Spotlight: Juneteenth

SEGMENT SUMMARY: This episode, we’re taking some time to recognize the significance of Juneteenth and our continued commitment at NICHQ to address racial inequities and close the gaps in access to information, resources, and care in maternal and child health.   

RELATED LINKS:

• What is Juneteenth?
• The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
• Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2022

Main Story: The Importance of Engaging Fathers in MCH

SEGMENT SUMMARY: We talk with fatherhood expert Kenn Harris, NICHQ VP of Community Partnerships and Engagement, and men's mental health expert Dr. Derrick Gordon, Yale School of Medicine, about men’s mental health, policy considerations for fathers, and strategies for better-engaging fathers in MCH.

RELATED LINKS:

• Interview Transcript
• Project Page: Supporting Healthy Start Performance Project 
• Healthy Start Technical Assistance & Support Center
• The Equity Table: Fatherhood in the Age of Mass Incarceration
• Fatherhood Talk: Dad Doulas
• Healthy Start TASC Fatherhood Resources

The Q: Quality Improvement

SEGMENT SUMMARY: Hear from Megan Johnson, MSC, NICHQ VP of Mission Integration, and Sandra Widland, MPH, project director and QI course leader at NICHQ about NICHQ's summer quality improvement course, and how it provides value for our interns, staff, projects, and the organization as a whole.  

• FREE Online QI 101 Course 
• Mastering the Planning Stage of PDSAs
• 5 Tips for Testing to Optimize Your Next PDSA

Why I Work in MCH

NICHQ Director of Communications and Digital Strategy Jey Weisgerber shares their passion for addressing inequities in maternal and child health and working to ensure MCH is more inclusive, not just for queer and gender-nonconforming folks who might give birth, but also for fathers and other partners who are parents or caregivers and for kids who are trans or intersex. Read a complete profile on Jey. 

In this episode of Before Birth & Beyond, in recognition of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, we had a conversation with NICHQ Associate Director of Research and Evaluation Dr. Meera Menon, and learned more about her experiences navigating her roles as a maternal child health researcher and new mom. We also highlighted maternal and caregiver mental health resources for healthcare professionals and spoke with another NICHQ staff member about why they work in maternal and child health. 

Maternal and Caregiver Depression Resources 

SEGMENT SUMMARY: Though maternal depression is common, many mothers may not know help is available or may be uncomfortable asking for it. CDC research shows about 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Estimates of the number of women affected by postpartum depression differ by age, race/ethnicity, and state, with significant disparities existing for Black and Native-American women in the U.S. 

RELATED LINKS:

• Landing Page: Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month 
• Pathways To Equitable And Antiracist Maternal Mental Health Care: Insights From Black Women Stakeholders (JOURNAL) 
• Perinatal depression screening practices in a large health system: identifying current state and assessing opportunities to provide more equitable care (JOURNAL) 
• CASE STUDIES: Designing Systems to Eliminate the Consequences of Maternal Depression 
• PERINATAL DEPRESSION BROCHURES 
  • Depression & Anxiety During and After Pregnancy Brochure for Moms (EN) 
  • Depression & Anxiety During and After Pregnancy Brochure for Moms (ES) 
  • Depression & Anxiety During and After Pregnancy Brochure for Fathers, Partners, Families and (EN) 
  • Depression & Anxiety During and After Pregnancy Brochure for Fathers, Partners, Families and (EN) 
• Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians 
• Promoting Fathers’ Mental Health During Children's Early Childhood 

Main Story: Additional Support, Compassion Needed for Maternal Mental Health

SEGMENT SUMMARY: In a candid conversation NICHQ Associate Director of Applied Research and Evaluation Meera Menon shares some of her lived experiences as a mom and researcher and thoughts about how public health practitioners can hold maternal mental health more compassionately for all new parents, but especially those negatively impacted by social determinants of health. 

RELATED LINKS:

In this bonus episode of Before Birth & Beyond episode, learn about the After Action Review (AAR)– a quality improvement process designed to help teams identify and learn from successes and failures. Hear from members of NICHQ project teams who share the ways NICHQ incorporates the After Action Review and the benefits to healthcare professionals and others interested in improving systems. 

• Sandra Widland, MPH, NICHQ Project Director
• Eliza Williamson, Associate Project Director

TAKE ACTION: Read this helpful Guide to the After Action Review. 

RELATED LINKS:

• After Action Review Reflection Worksheet
• Project Website: Florida Children’s Medical Services Learning and Action Network
• Project Website: Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes: Developmental Impact of NICU Exposures (ECHO DINE)

In this episode of Before Birth & Beyond, celebrate Black Maternal Health Week with  a roundtable discussion among Black maternal health experts. Also, learn about Land Acknowledgements, hear details from a new NICHQ publication, and hear why our staff work in MCH.

Land acknowledgements can be an important tool for both Natives and non-Natives to facilitate honoring the past and acknowledging its impact on the present – and future.  

• National Museum of the American Indian Land Acknowledgment 
• NPR: So you began your event with an Indigenous land acknowledgment. Now what?
• Research reveals media role in stereotypes about Native Americans
• North Dakota Tribal History
  • Cultural Survival: For the Taking: The Garrison Dam and the Tribal Taking Area
  • Watch Waterbuster
• Supporting Indigenous Families for Improved Health Outcomes 
• Land and Language Acknowledgement 

Recently the CDC released 2021 data showing increases in rates of maternal mortality across all age groups and races, as well as persisting disparities, especially among Black women. Our roundtable in honor of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) features these experts in Black maternal health:

• Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, MD FACOG, Senior Health Advisor
• Stacey Penny, MSW, MPH, Sr. Project Director of the National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC)
• Dr. Stacy Scott, PhD, MPA, VP of Health Equity Innovation

TAKE ACTION: Join NICHQ in honoring BMMA’s vision by using their social media toolkit and community events to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health.

• NICHQ’s Black Maternal Health Week 2023 Campaign 
• National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives 
• Supporting Healthy Start Performance Project

Submit your questions to NICHQ’s network of advisors, faculty, and expansive project experts in maternal and child health, rare disease, and equity. If selected, we’ll invite you to be part of this segment. We look forward to your questions!

https://www.nichq.org/community-qa-ask-expert 

This month, we’re joined by Ana Franklin, NICHQ’s Development Manager, who shares her personal health journey and how her experience as the adopted child of a retired general health practitioner led to her personal and professional commitment to health equity. 

Learn more about Ana and the rest of NICHQ’s team at https://www.nichq.org/about/team.