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Infants

Infancy—the period of life from birth to age 1—is associated with a unique set of public policy issues related to babies' health, development, and welfare. RAND's research on infants spans a wide range of topics for this brief but important period of life, including infant mortality, low birth weight, neonatal care, immunizations, breastfeeding and feeding practices, and cognitive development.

Journal Article
Measuring Childbirth Outcomes Using Administrative and Birth Certificate Data
The aim of this study was to develop a risk-adjusted composite measure of severe maternal morbidity and severe newborn morbidity based on administrative and birth certificate data.
Jan 22, 2021
Report
Examining Interventions to Address Infant Mortality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Poor birth and infant outcomes and pronounced racial disparities persist in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, despite robust maternal and child health and social service systems. Which interventions are the most effective and how does effectiveness vary for women with different risk and other factors?
Jan 6, 2021
Journal Article
Barriers and Facilitators of Kangaroo Mother Care Adoption in Five Chinese Hospitals: A Qualitative Study
We provided a comprehensive report on the multi-level KMC barriers and facilitators in China. We recommend policy interventions addressing these barriers and facilitators and increase family and peer support to improve KMC adoption in China.
Nov 12, 2020
Commentary
Policies That Punish Pregnant Women for Substance Use Don't Help Mother or Baby
About half of all U.S. states now have policies that criminalize substance use during pregnancy, consider it grounds for civil commitment, or consider it child abuse or neglect. But research suggests that punitive policies aren't beneficial for infants or their mothers.
Jan 28, 2020
News Release
The NHS Spends Significantly Less on Pregnancy-Related Research Compared with Other Health Conditions
The National Health Service spends significantly less on pregnancy-related research compared with other health conditions. Funding for pregnancy research totaled £255 million from 2013 to 2017, or about £51 million a year. As pregnancy care costs the NHS £5.8 billion annually, this means that for every £1 spent on pregnancy care, less than 1 penny is spent on research.
Jan 14, 2020
Report
Pregnancy research review: Policy report
This study presents a review of UK pregnancy research needs and priorities, comparing this to current research expenditure and setting the findings in the context of NHS costs related to pregnancy.
Jan 13, 2020
News Release
Punishing Pregnant Women for Substance Use Is Linked to Higher Rates of Newborns Experiencing Opioid Withdrawal
State policies that impose punitive action against pregnant women who use illicit substances are associated with higher rates of infants being born with opioid withdrawal. This suggests that policymakers should instead focus on public health approaches that bolster prevention and expand access to treatment.
Nov 13, 2019
Blog
AI Bias, Opioids, Afghanistan: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the danger of artificial intelligence bias, infants with opioid withdrawal symptoms, peace talks in Afghanistan, and more.
Mar 15, 2019
Research Brief
The Ecology of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Newborns exposed to opioids before birth can experience withdrawal symptoms known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). From 2009 to 2015, the average NAS rate per 1,000 hospital births across eight states rose from about six to more than 25.
Mar 15, 2019
Tool
Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool
This web-based tool aims to inform policymakers about the rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome by county across eight states from 2009 to 2015. This analysis is displayed via maps and interactive charts.
Mar 15, 2019
Commentary
Opioid-Dependent Newborns in My West Virginia Hometown Point to a Path Out of Drug Crisis
In small, rural towns like Bluefield, West Virginia, economies are hurting, the opioid epidemic is growing, and together they are taking a toll on a surprising population: pregnant women and their babies.
Mar 6, 2019
Commentary
Use It or Lose It—Why Taking Parental Leave Is So Important for Fathers
The active involvement of both a mother and a father in the upbringing of a child has great social and psychological benefits. Yet, despite legal provisions allowing parents to take time off to look after children, such as parental leave, many men are still reluctant to take it.
Mar 4, 2019
Blog
Taliban, Health Care, Russia: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on U.S.-Taliban peace talks, what single-payer health care really means, comparing threats from Russia and China, and more.
Feb 1, 2019
Journal Article
Association Among County-Level Economic Factors, Clinician Supply, Metropolitan or Rural Location, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
This analysis found a significant association among higher long-term unemployment, higher mental health clinician shortage areas, and higher county-level rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Feb 1, 2019
News Release
Study Links Long-Term Unemployment to Increase in Babies Born with Opioid Withdrawal
Babies born after being exposed to opioids before birth are more likely to be delivered in regions of the U.S. with high rates of long-term unemployment and lower levels of mental health services.
Jan 30, 2019
Journal Article
Armed Conflict and Child Mortality in Africa: A Geospatial Analysis
Armed conflict substantially increases infant mortality in Africa, on a scale equivalent to and several times greater than estimates of deaths from conflict.
Dec 27, 2018
Report
The Welcome Baby Program: An Implementation and Outcomes Evaluation
Findings from an evaluation of First 5 LA's Welcome Baby universal home visiting program showed significant variation across sites, but generally positive responses from participants.
Dec 11, 2018
Report
Development of metrics to measure the impact of Tommy's work
This study presents metrics to help work out what Tommy's should measure and how Tommy's should report impact. The aim is to work out how each contributes to Tommy's desired outcomes, namely the reduction of stillbirth, preterm birth and miscarriage.
Sep 17, 2018
Journal Article
Geographic Access to International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants in Pennsylvania
Most children in Pennsylvania live within 30 miles of an international board-certified lactation consultant; however, this is true for a smaller percentage of children in rural counties.
Aug 24, 2018
Commentary
Potential Changes to Paternity and Parental Leave in Europe
Fathers' involvement in child care has considerable benefits for their children, mothers, employers, and themselves. Paternity and parental leave are important, but pay, flexibility, and eligibility remain significant barriers to uptake by fathers across Europe.
Jun 25, 2018

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RAND Topic:
Infants

Topic Synonyms:
Babies;
Baby;
Infancy

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