Global Maternal and Child Health

We are active in the field of global maternal and child health from the national to the community level through research, technical assistance, and capacity building in communities throughout the world. RTI researchers study pressing issues that influence the physical, social, and emotional well-being of women, children, and families and work collaboratively with counterparts in other countries in applying the understanding gained to the design and implementation of high-quality programs and interventions supported by scientific evidence.

Focus Areas

  • Social, economic, and institutional barriers to health care services
  • Health disparities and minority health issues
  • Policy formulation and implementation
  • Advocacy
  • Health systems strengthening
  • Improved quality of care
  • Efforts to reduce infant mortality
  • Maternal and child nutrition
  • Management of preterm labor
  • Pregnancy risk assessment
  • Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage
  • Stillbirths, birth defects, and developmental disabilities
  • Neonatal care

Current Projects

  • Maternal and Child Health Improvement Project (NOVA 2): Armenia (2010-2011)
  • Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology (MANDATE): Sub-Saharan Africa and India (2009-2011)
  • Health Sector Development: Philippines (2006-2011)
  • Health Sector Reform: Nepal (2006-2010)
  • Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage Initiative: Global (9 countries) (completed)
  • Decentralization and Health Project: Rwanda (completed)
  • EZAKA Mendrika (Expanding the Use of Selected Health Services and Products and Improving Health Practices in Madagascar): Madagascar (completed)
  • Zambia Electronic Patient Records System: Zambia (completed)

Related Expertise

Spotlight

HIV-related Stigma a Barrier to Mother-to-child HIV Transmission Prevention Efforts

Concerns about HIV-related stigma can discourage pregnant women in low-income settings from seeking services for their own health and to prevent transmitting HIV to their children, according to a literature review conducted under the USAID-funded Health Policy project and authored by Janet Turan of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Laura Nyblade of RTI International and the Health Policy Project. Read more