Our research spans the full spectrum of MCH concerns from preconception through adolescence with a steadfast commitment to health equity and community-engaged scholarship. Faculty collaborate across disciplines, partner with communities, and translate findings into practice and policy to create meaningful change in maternal and child health outcomes locally, nationally, and globally.
Key Areas of Research
Maternal Health
Our maternal health research addresses the critical challenges facing pregnant and postpartum individuals, with particular attention to the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis in the United States. Faculty investigate pregnancy complications and outcomes including
- preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and severe maternal morbidity
- perinatal mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and trauma
- quality of maternity care including delivery models and patient-provider communication
- postpartum health and recovery in the "fourth trimester"
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Faculty conduct research on the full range of sexual and reproductive health issues, recognizing these as fundamental to overall health and wellbeing. Areas of investigation include
- contraceptive access and use, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and patient-centered counseling
- reproductive autonomy and informed decision-making about pregnancy and family planning
- sexually transmitted infection prevention, screening, and treatment
- adolescent sexual health needs
- abortion access, care, and policy impacts
- preconception health strategies to optimize health before pregnancy
Child, Youth, and Family Health
Our research on child and youth health takes a family-centered, ecological approach that considers the multiple contexts shaping young people's development and wellbeing. Faculty investigate
- early childhood development across physical, cognitive, and social-emotional domains
- infant and child nutrition including breastfeeding, complementary feeding, food insecurity, and obesity prevention
- pediatric health outcomes such as chronic conditions and developmental disabilities
- adolescent health needs including risk behaviors and health-promoting factors
- family systems, parenting practices, and caregiver wellbeing
- intergenerational transmission of health and exposures across generations
Integrative Research Themes
While our faculty specialize in distinct areas, several unifying themes characterize the MCH research portfolio at Tulane:
Health Equity and Reproductive Justice: This is central to all MCH research at Tulane. Our faculty examine structural racism, discrimination, and social determinants as root causes of maternal and child health disparities, applying reproductive justice frameworks that center the experiences and priorities of marginalized communities.
Community Partnership, Engagement, and Translation: We believe research must be conducted with and not on communities and must lead to tangible improvements in health. Our faculty develop authentic partnerships with community organizations and affected populations, engaging them as equal partners throughout the research process and translating findings into practice improvements, policy changes, and community resources.
Implementation Science: Understanding what works is only valuable if interventions can be successfully implemented in real-world settings. Faculty use implementation science approaches to study how to effectively adopt, deliver, and sustain evidence-based practices in clinical and community settings, bridging the gap between research discovery and improved health outcomes.
Violence: In its many forms, violence profoundly affects maternal and child health. Our faculty investigate intimate partner violence, community and structural violence, childhood adversity and trauma, and the intersections between violence and reproductive health, developing interventions to prevent violence and mitigate its health consequences.
Research Impact
Our faculty’s research drives change.
- Informing clinical practice: Findings shape clinical guidelines, care protocols, and provider training
- Influencing policy: Research evidence supports state and federal policy recommendations to improve maternal and child health
- Strengthening health systems: Studies identify system-level improvements to enhance care quality and equity
- Empowering communities: Research partnerships build community capacity and amplify community voices
- Training future researchers: Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows contribute to faculty research while developing their own scholarly expertise
