Maternal, Infant, and Child Health

Goal

Improve the health and well-being of women, infants, children, and families.

Overview:

Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children is an important public health goal for the United States. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities, and the health care system. The objectives of the Maternal, Infant, and Child Health topic area address a wide range of conditions, health behaviors, and health systems indicators that affect the health, wellness, and quality of life of women, children, and families.

Why are Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Important?

Pregnancy can provide an opportunity to identify existing health risks in women and to prevent future health problems for women and their children. These health risks may include:

Hypertension and heart disease
Diabetes
Depression
Genetic conditions
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Tobacco use and alcohol abuse
Inadequate nutrition
Unhealthy weight

The risk of maternal and infant mortality and pregnancy-related complications can be reduced by increasing access to quality preconception (before pregnancy) and interconception (between pregnancies) care.¹ Moreover, healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential.^2,3,4

Additional Resources:

HP2020's National Objectives for Maternal, Infant, and Child Health
HHDW Reports on Maternal, Infant, and Child Health

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Recommendations to improve preconception health and health care—United States: A report of the CDC/ATSDR Preconception Care Work Group and the Select Panel on Preconception Care. Atlanta: CDC; 2006. 23 p. (MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55[RR-06]).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis: evaluation of benefits and risks and recommendations for state newborn screening programs. Atlanta: CDC; 2004. 37 p. (MMWR Recomm Reps. 2004;53[RR-13])
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Identifying infants with hearing loss—United States, 1999–2007. Atlanta: CDC; 2010. (MMWR. 2010;59[8]:220-3).
Watson MS, Mann MY, Lloyd-Puryear MA, et al.; American College of Medical Genetics, Newborn Screening Expert Group. Newborn screening: Toward a uniform screening panel and system [executive summary]. Pediatrics. 2006;117(5 Pt. 2):S296-307.

Objectives

Download all Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Objectives

ID	Objectives and sub-objectives
MICH-1	Reduce the rate of fetal and infant deaths
MICH-1.3	All infant deaths (within 1 year) ^LHI
MICH-1.4	Neonatal deaths (within the first 28 days of life)
MICH-1.5	Postneonatal deaths (between 28 days and 1 year)
MICH-1.9	Infant deaths from sudden unexpected infant deaths (includes SIDS, Unknown Cause, Accidental Suffocation, and Strangulation in Bed)
MICH-3	Reduce the rate of child deaths
MICH-3.2	Children aged 5 to 9 years
MICH-4	Reduce the rate of adolescent and young adult deaths
MICH-4.1	Adolescents aged 10 to 14 years
MICH-4.2	Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years
MICH-4.3	Young adults aged 20 to 24 years
MICH-8	Reduce low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW)
MICH-8.1	Low birth weight (LBW)
MICH-9	Reduce preterm births
MICH-9.1	Reduce total preterm births ^LHI
MICH-10	Increase the proportion of pregnant women who receive early and adequate prenatal care
MICH-10.1	Prenatal care beginning in first trimester
MICH-11	Increase abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs among pregnant women
MICH-11.1	Alcohol
MICH-11.4	Illicit drugs
MICH-16	Increase the proportion of women delivering a live birth who received preconception care services and practiced key recommended preconception health behaviors
MICH-16.3	Did not smoke prior to pregnancy
MICH-16.4	Did not drink alcohol prior to pregnancy
MICH-20	Increase the proportion of infants who are put to sleep on their backs
MICH-21	Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed
MICH-21.1	Infants who were ever breastfed
MICH-21.2	Infants who were breastfed at six months
MICH-21.4	Infants who were breastfed exclusively through three months
MICH-21.5	Infants who were breastfed exclusively through six months
MICH-23	Reduce the proportion of breastfed newborns who receive formula supplementation within the first two days of life
MICH-24	Increase the proportion of live births that occur in facilities that provide recommended care for lactating mothers and their babies