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International Center for Maternal and Newborn Health

Developing evidence-based practices and equity-centered strategies to save lives and promote maternal and infant health before, during, and after birth.

In recent decades, the world has made remarkable progress toward reducing maternal and child deaths. Yet significant inequities exist within and across countries.  A child born in sub-Saharan Africa or in Southern Asia has 10 times higher risk of death in the first month of life than a child born in Australia or New Zealand. An adolescent girl living in a low-income country is 100 times more likely to die from maternal causes during her lifetime than an adolescent in a high-income country. In the United States, Black and American Indian women are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.

Most of these deaths are preventable. As a Center, we are committed to expanding access to life-saving interventions, addressing inequities in care, and finding innovative solutions to advance health and wellbeing of women and newborns worldwide.

Our Work

Woman wearing sari stands and holds her new infant

Research

Our findings help improve care and outcomes for women and infants. 

Women reviewing documents

Policy and Impact

Our research has changed policies and practices around the world.

Woman meeting with her doctor

Collaborations

Our team partners with domestic and international stakeholders on community-based research.

Our People

Andreea Creanga
Professor
International Health

Andreea Creanga, MD, PhD '09, implements and evaluates quality improvement initiatives in perinatal health, domestically and internationally.

Assistant Scientist
International Health

Elizabeth Stierman, PhD ’22, MPH '11, evaluates approaches to improve quality of care, address social determinants, and advance equity in maternal and child health.

Projahnmo Project

Learn about our work with Projahnmo and how the lessons learned in Sylhet, Bangladesh provide a powerful approach to reducing the needless deaths of newborns globally.

Video by the Projahnmo Project.

About Us

We develop and evaluate innovations and strategies with the potential to save lives and improve the health of millions of mothers and babies.

Stories From the Field

Read personal stories from our team about the impact of their work around the world.