TheĀ Association of Maternal & Child Health ProgramsĀ (AMCHP) and theĀ Association of State and Territorial Health OfficialsĀ (ASTHO) are pleased to announce the release of a special issue ofĀ the Maternal and Child Health JournalĀ onĀ public health approaches to perinatal substance use.
DECEMBER 2023 SPECIAL ISSUE: PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACHES TO PERINATAL SUBSTANCE USE
Almost 1 in 4 pregnancy-related deaths are attributed to mental health conditions, including substance use disorder. The December 2023 special issue of the Maternal and Child Health Journal is devoted to public health approaches to perinatal substance use andĀ features 21 open-access articles focusing on the latest research, programs, and policy initiatives related to perinatal substance use. Notably, the articles highlight tangible program and policy approaches to preventing and mitigating the harms of perinatal substance use and improving maternal and child health.Ā
The authors identify five strategic directions to generate new lines of inquiry and scale up evidence-based programs and policies.
Improving outcomes for perinatal people with substance use disorder (SUD) requires collective action. This special issue is a call to the public health community and maternal and child advocates to address perinatal SUD through a compassionate, holistic wellness lens for birthing people and families.