Importance of Weight Management in Women of Childbearing Age

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By: Mónica Mazariegos, ScD, Nutritional Epidemiologist, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Center for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases (CIIPEC)

Developing effective strategies to prevent excessive weight gain in women of childbearing age before, during and after pregnancy is critical to preventing obesity-related maternal and newborn health complications…read more

Linking Maternal Height and Poor Birth Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa

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By: Teertha Arora, Candidate for Masters in Public Health (Global Health), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

A paper recently published in PLOS ONE examines the association between maternal height and cesarean section as well as maternal height and neonatal mortality in 34 sub-Saharan African countries, a region facing numerous maternal and neonatal health challenges along with the smallest gains—even losses—in average adult height during the last century…read more

Insight Into Non-Communicable Diseases and Maternal Health Around the Globe

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By: Adya Misra, Associate Editor, PLOS ONE

Recent research published in PLOS ONE focuses on non-communicable illness during pregnancy and its impact on women and their children. Read highlights from the latest collection in partnership with the Maternal Health Task Force, “Non-Communicable Diseases and Maternal Health Around the Globe”……read more

To Address Noncommunicable Diseases and Maternal Health in Low-Resource Settings, Integrate Data at the Primary Care Level

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By: Elizabeth Marcuse, Community Health Specialist Volunteer, United States Peace Corps, Guyana, South America

High quality maternal health care requires a health workforce and health systems that adequately respond to local needs and can meet emerging challenges, such as those at the intersection of maternal health and noncommunicable diseases. Guyana’s health system structure has serious potential to evaluate and respond to these complex health issues, but decisions concerning resources and strategies require evidence-based support…read more

Targeting Gestational Diabetes During Antenatal Care: Experience from Ethiopia

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By: Mebrahtu Abraha Gebremikael, Elke Konings and Christie Roberts, Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Evidence suggests that gestational diabetes is highly treatable and, since it is associated with other conditions, there may be opportunities for integrated treatment approaches. Researchers recently carried out a study assessing the prevalence of gestational diabetes in Ethiopia and the feasibility of integrating low-cost services for gestational diabetes into antenatal care…read more

In Jamaica, Obesity Is Linked to Higher Risk of Maternal Death

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By: Kayla McGowan, Project Coordinator, Women and Health Initiative, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Sarah Hodin, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE, National Senior Manager of Maternal Newborn Health Programs, Steward Health Care

While Jamaica has seen a slow decline in maternal deaths, “Indirect causes account for an increasing proportion of these deaths,” said Lovney Kanguru, lead author of a recent population based study examining the consequences of overweight and obesity for Jamaican women of reproductive age…read more

New Blog Series on Noncommunicable Diseases and Maternal Health: Call for Submissions

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By: Sarah Hodin, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE, National Senior Manager of Maternal Newborn Health Programs, Steward Health Care

As the world continues to undergo the “obstetric transition” from mostly direct causes of maternal mortality to more indirect causes, addressing the effects of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) on maternal health is becoming increasingly urgent. To highlight this issue, the Maternal Health Task Force is curating a new blog series focused on NCDs and maternal health…read more

Tackling Noncommunicable Diseases and Maternal Mortality: A Conversation With Katja Iversen

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By: Sarah Hodin, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE, National Senior Manager of Maternal Newborn Health Programs, Steward Health Care

On 2 November 2017, Katja Iversen joined the Maternal Health Task Force (MHTF) for a panel discussion about noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and maternal health. Later, she sat down with the MHTF’s Sarah Hodin to talk more about the issues she raised during the event…read more