Maternal and Infant Health at the Crossroads: Interdisciplinary Evidence for Holistic Policy Solutions

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

Ensuring the well-being of mothers and infants is a critical priority for health policy and a cornerstone of resilient and equitable public systems. This panel brings together interdisciplinary research that examines how policy design, healthcare delivery models, and socioeconomic factors shape maternal and infant health outcomes in the United States. In the context of persistent disparities and evolving health needs, each paper offers rigorous empirical evidence with direct implications for designing and improving health policy at all levels of government. The first paper investigates the effects of Tobacco 21 laws on prenatal smoking and birth outcomes using national data and quasi-experimental methods. The findings suggest a limited impact of these laws on maternal behavior, highlighting the need for more comprehensive, multi-level health policy interventions. The second paper explores how childcare costs influence fertility decisions, revealing that higher prices reduce birth rates and delay parenthood. These results emphasize the importance of cross-sector health and social policies that alleviate economic pressures on families, supporting maternal well-being and long-term population health. The third paper focuses on integrating early relational health (ERH) interventions into pediatric primary care. Drawing on a nationwide survey and qualitative data, it proposes a best practices toolkit to guide implementation and sustain effective programs. This work illustrates how health systems can collaborate with practitioners to improve early childhood development and family health. The final paper evaluates the impact of telehealth expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic on prenatal care utilization and birth outcomes. While telehealth increased care access, especially for fully treated pregnancies, it did not yield equivalent improvements across racial and ethnic groups—underscoring the need for more equitable, inclusive health technology policies. Collectively, these studies demonstrate how collaborative, evidence-based approaches can strengthen maternal and infant health policy. By connecting research with clinical practice, public systems, and community needs, this panel contributes to the ongoing development of transformative and resilient health policies that address disparities and promote well-being for families across the nation.

Policy Area

• Health Policy

Secondary Policy Area

• Family and Child Policy

Chair

• Agustina Laurito, University of Illinois, Chicago

Discussant

• Krista Ruffini, Georgetown University

Organizer

• Johabed G. Olvera, Pennsylvania State University

Individual Presentations

• Tobacco 21 Laws, Prenatal Smoking, and Birth Outcomes - Presenting Author: James Flynn, Miami University

• The Price of Parenthood: Childcare Costs and Fertility - Presenting Author: Abigail Dow, Boston University

• Best Practices to Integrate Early Relational Health Interventions in Pediatric Primary Care - Presenting Author: Elizabeth B. Miller, New York University; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Janae Kuttamperoor, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Victoria Guevara, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Yu Chen, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Co-Author: DIANA WALTHER, New York University; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Hollyce Tyrrell, Academic Pediatric Association; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Irish Bicasan, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Co-Author: H. Shonna Yin, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Caitlin Ford Canfield, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

• Telehealth for Prenatal Care: Heterogeneous Effects on Utilization and Birth Outcomes Across Racial Groups - Presenting Author: Johabed G. Olvera, Pennsylvania State University