The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) team within the Division of Integrated Health and Policy Research (IHPR) at the University of South Carolina's Institute for Families in Society is committed to enhancing maternal and newborn health through evaluation, training, program and policy innovation, and impactful community engagement. Our work integrates data science, data visualization, and health services and health policy research to improve outcomes for mothers, infants, and families across South Carolina.

We bring deep expertise in maternal and child health, program evaluation, implementation science, applied research, and healthcare quality improvement and efficiency.

Through rigorous data analysis within the state's unique social, economic, and geographic context, we help policymakers, healthcare providers and payers, and communities identify effective strategies, allocate resources strategically, and advance improved health outcomes.

South Carolina faces critical maternal and child health challenges, including higher-than-average rates of poor maternal and infant health outcomes and gaps in access to evidence-based, timely access to perinatal care. To get to the heart of these challenges, our research translates complex linked datasets into actionable recommendations.

Data-driven insights empower effective interventions, support informed decision-making, and shape policies that improve lives.

Maternal Health Innovation Collaborative Advancing maternal health through statewide innovation and collaboration; team supports data capacity, evaluation, technical assistance, and community engagement. SCMHIC Homepage	Postpartum Screening Research MUSC study of text-based postpartum care coordination; team supports eligibility confirmation, data analysis, and evaluation of maternal health outcomes. H.E.A.R 4 Mamas	Medicaid Doula Care Research Researching Medicaid doula care’s impact on outcomes across six states; team supports data, implementation, and storytelling. Project DREAM
South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative (SCBOI) Statewide effort supporting over 100 partners with tools and analysis to improve care coordination, safety, and birth outcomes. SCBOI Information Products	SCBOI AIM Initiatives Improving maternal safety through national protocols; team supports hospitals with technical assistance and data reporting. SCBOI SC AIM	Voices|Voces Initiative Amplifies stories from women and providers to shape respectful maternity care and guide provider training statewide. Voices|Voces Initiative

⚞ View Our MCH Initiatives at a Glance ⚟

Our current focus includes addressing the care of perinatal patients experiencing complex conditions or perinatal complications, exploring the impacts of contextual and social factors on health, examining pregnancy's long-term effects, and evaluating structural influences on maternal and infant health, including access to high quality care and the cost effectiveness of policy and program initiatives.

Our Maternal and Child Health team blends specialized skills across diverse areas:

For more information about our team and these MCH initiatives, please contact:

SARAH GAREAU, DrPH, MEd, MCHES Assistant Professor Director of Health Services Research and Policy