Research

Overview

MCH faculty are committed to increasing scientific knowledge of health issues faced by mothers, children and families, and are active in research and dissemination of new knowledge including (but not limited to):

Epidemiology including: social, reproductive and perinatal, lifecourse, genetic, and nutritional and behavioral epidemiology
Nutrition including: adolescent nutrition, child nutrition, maternal nutrition, weight status during pregnancy, eating disorders, and obesity
Cardiovascular disease including: biometry, etiology, and developmental determinants

–Learn more about MCH Program faculty members’ research

Research by MCH Faculty and Students:

Community-engaged Research

Our program has a strong focus on community-engaged research methods, preparing students to complete projects that are conducted with the assistance of, rather than just within, communities.

Drs. Bonilla and Stang have developed the Bright Spots Qualitative Research Methods Mini-Lab, designed to enhance qualitative research skills among students and community partners, particularly those in state agencies. This fosters research and evaluation collaborations that use qualitative approaches to find solutions to MCH public health needs by identifying and employing culturally-responsive, asset-based strategies rooted in the perspectives and experiences of individuals, families, and communities.

Student Research

Our faculty provide students with didactic and experiential training that leads to a graduate degree. Students are offered a curriculum that addresses critical MCH perspectives including life course theory; a comprehensive historical, legislative, and public health knowledge base regarding Title V and related programs; cultural competence and humility; and emerging MCH public health issues (among others).

All students complete at least one research project under faculty guidance, often in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or agencies serving MCH populations.

Students may also present their research projects at meetings such as the School of Public Health Research Day, the Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) annual meeting, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) annual meeting, the MCH Bureau’s (MCHB) Making Lifelong Connections, and many others.

MCH Student Research Highlights

Coming soon!

Many MCH students receive paid deployed to agencies and non-profits. Read about students’ experiences on our Spotlight page.
Our National MCH Trainee Blog is student-led and helps connect MCH students from all thirteen COEs and nine Catalyst Programs by providing an outlet for them to share their research and community engagement experiences. Monthly posts are written by students on one of the 12 MCH competencies.

Recent Publications

Forthcoming!

Technical Assistance

Staff and faculty at Centers of Excellence in MCH Programs provide TA/consultation and subject matter expertise to the MCH field.

–Learn more about our TA