Maternal and Child Health

Improving Birth Outcomes

Every year, thousands of Americans die during or shortly after pregnancy. Rollins researchers are working to prevent maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.

“I see this as the health challenge of our generation. Maternal health ties to child health, and that’s our future. If we aren’t thinking about how to have healthy moms and babies, then we’re putting our future at risk.”

Carmen Marsit, PhD, Executive Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research Strategy

illustration of a woman holding a baby after giving birth

Fighting the Maternal Mortality Crisis

If maternal mortality is an indicator of a nation’s health, then the United States is in bad shape. Of the wealthiest countries in the world, the nation has the highest maternal mortality rate—and it keeps getting worse. While the pandemic certainly played a role in the uptick, the fact is, the U.S. maternal mortality rate has been climbing for decades.

Visualizing the Maternal and Reproductive Health Crisis in Georgia

Data visualizations illustrate the extent of the maternal mortality crisis, including the roles that care deserts and health care costs play in maternal and child health.

Better Data Needed to Prevent Maternal and Infant Deaths

A major barrier to improving maternal and infant health, is limited available data. Data on pregnancy and birth outcomes is often incomplete, especially in cases of maternal or fetal deaths. Information about patient experiences with maternal health care or the efficacy of upstream policy interventions is also limited.

Our Experts at the Forefront

“If we can’t keep mothers healthy, we won’t have healthy babies.”

Sarah Blake, PhD

associate professor of health policy and management and director of Emory’s Maternal and Child Health Center of Excellence

“A stillbirth is far more than a difficult life event that occurs at a single moment in time. Stillbirths are devastating incidents with impacts that are wide-reaching and lifelong. Every one of those numbers represents a life lost and a life changed.”

Lauren Christiansen-Lindquist

PhD, associate professor of epidemiology

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