The MCH Research Program works to improve the health of mothers, children and adolescents by supporting important research that has the potential to improve health services and delivery of care for maternal and child health populations.
Program Description
Since 1965, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Research Program has supported meritorious applied research related to maternal and child health services. These investigations have influenced how health care services are organized and delivered throughout the United States.
The MCH Research Program is authorized by Title V, Section 502(a)(1) of the Social Security Act. With the enactment of the Social Security Act in 1935, the Federal Government, through Title V, pledged its support of State efforts to extend the health and welfare services for mothers and children. One way the Federal Government does this is by offering grants through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) to support innovative research that has immediate potential for improving and managing health care delivery for mothers, children, and families. Many of these studies have yielded new insights and approaches toward treating maternal and child health problems, including those of children with special health care needs.
MCH Research Grants
Projects are selected based on a multiyear research agenda, which consists of broad program areas and critical issues/questions linked to the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau strategic plans and to the nation's Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives. Often, findings are published in leading medical and child development journals such as Pediatrics, JAMA, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Child Development.
The MCH Research Program has adopted four Strategic Research Issues to guide the program from 2004 through 2009. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit research proposals that address one or more of these Strategic Issues. They include research related to:
Strategic Research Issues
Public health service systems and infrastructures at the community, State and/or national levels, as they apply to different maternal and child health (MCH) populations based on demographic, epidemiological, and/or other factors.
MCH services and systems of care efforts to eliminate health disparities and barriers to health care access for MCH populations. These health disparities and barriers to health care access may include racial/ethnic, cultural, linguistic, gender, developmental, geographic, immigrant, underserved, economic considerations, etc.
Services and systems to assure quality of care for MCH populations.
Promoting the healthy development of MCH populations.
