Maternal and Child Health Research Program

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Maternal and Child Health Life Course Research Network (MCH LCRN)

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Project Number: UA6 MC 19803-01
Grantee: UCLA
Department/Center: Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities
Project Date: 9/1/2010

Final Report

Pending

Principal Investigator

Neal Halfon, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
10990 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA  90024
Phone: (310) 794-2583
Email: nhalfon@ucla.edu

Age

  • Maternal
  • Prenatal
  • Infancy (0-12 months)
  • Toddlerhood (1-2 years)
  • Early Childhood (3-5 years)
  • Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
  • Adolescence (12-18 years)
  • Young Adulthood (19-21 years)

Abstract

PROBLEM: A growing body of evidence suggests that health problems and disparities throughout the life span are rooted in suboptimal childhood health and experiences. Improving lifelong health outcomes and reducing or eliminating health disparities is likely to benefit from the application of emerging life course (LC) research to MCH policy and practice. Enhancing LC research will be advanced by the development of a transdisciplinary, transformative and translational MCH LCRN that engages a diverse set of MCH stakeholders including researchers, policy and program planners, and family and community representatives, and strategically focuses production, transmission and translation of LC research. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Goal: To advance research developmental origins and impacts of health, and to maximize the impact of that research on MCH practices, programs and policy and on the elimination of health disparities over the life span. Objectives: (1) Design a transdisciplinary LCRN; (2) Develop a research agenda that advances life course health development (LCHD) research for the MCH population, and enables the translation and application of that research to policy and practice; (3) Catalyze and conduct LC-focused research studies that will inform strategies to reduce health disparities for the MCH population; (4) Advance the methods for studying LCHD; (5) Communicate the value of LC-focused research in MCH, and disseminate research findings from the LCRN to assist health professionals, policy makers, and the public in supporting LC-oriented practices that are likely to optimize individual and population health; (6) Build capacity of the MCH LCRN and increase resources in support of LCHD research. METHODOLOGY: LCRN will work to develop, implement, and improve a LC research agenda that will enhance the production and application of MCH focused LC research. Nodes within in the network will engage in original research on priority LC topics. An expert group will work to improve the availability of data and LC research methods. An innovative website will include a social networking function to support collaboration among LCRN members and provide a platform for knowledge dissemination and training. The LCRN will provide seed grants to catalyze collaborative research, and will increase long-term LC research capacity by leveraging other funding and helping to prepare the next generation of LC researchers. COORDINATION: UCLA CHCFC has already engaged a diverse group of individuals and organizations who have agreed to participate in the LCRN. Collaborators include lead LC researchers, MCH experts, and organizations representing families and providers such as the Association for Maternal and Child Health Programs, Family Voices, City MatCH, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. EVALUATION: LCRN activities will be documented via administrative records and LCRN member surveys, which will provide details about LCRN members, assess LCRN functionality and sustainability, and identify publications that result from LCRN activities. ANNOTATIONS: The LCHD framework provides a common language for researchers, policymakers, program planners and consumers to work collaboratively to understand the determinants of health and well-being across the life span. The LCRN will capitalize on available evidence to design a research agenda, support LC research, and provide a unique forum for engaging in information exchange, collaborative research, methods improvement, and leveraging funding.

Publications

Pending

Keywords

Health Disparities, Capacity & Personnel, Life Course

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