Master of Public Health

Maternal and Child Health Concentration

Breadcrumb

Maternal and Child Health Concentration

Studies the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families

The Brown University School of Public Health has substantial strengths in Maternal and Child Health (MCH). This includes a vibrant core of interdisciplinary faculty focused on MCH issues from the prenatal period through adolescents. The Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute was launched in 2016, presenting new opportunities for expanding MCH research and education programs at Brown. This is in addition to the existing School of Public Health research centers that include a focus on MCH issues. Beyond the strengths within the School of Public Health, active MCH collaborations extend to the Brown University affiliated hospitals, state government, local government, community organizations and industry.

Excluding pregnant and nursing people from clinical trials causes more harm than it prevents, study finds

Professor Alyssa Bilinski has found that systematically including pregnant participants in trials would speed up the detection of adverse effects and increase uptake of beneficial medications.

Read the article

Program Snapshot

Maternal and Child Health Competencies

In addition to the standard MPH Program competencies, students in the MCH concentration will meet the following competencies:

  1. Evaluate the effectiveness of policies or programs related to maternal or child health (PHP1950)
  2. Recommend the interventions a defined community should undertake to address a given maternal or child health problem (PHP2023)
  3. Design a study of maternal or child health using appropriate research & evaluation methodologies (PHP2220F)
  4. Evaluate the extent of a maternal or child health problem in an appropriately defined population (PHP2023)
  5. Critique the methods used in maternal or child health research (PHP2220F)

Courses

Maternal and Child Health Concentration Courses

Complete the following course:

  • PHP1950: Adolescent and Young Adult Health (Spring)

Complete the following course:

  • PHP2023: Maternal and Child Health in the United States (Fall)

Complete the following course:

  • PHP2220F:Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (Fall)

The MCH curriculum for students who enrolled in Fall 2025 or earlier can be found HERE.

Maternal and Child Health Sample Schedules

Maternal and Child Health Learning Experience (ILE)

Students are required to complete either a thesis or a capstone course for the ILE.

Students in the Maternal and Child Health concentration must complete their ILE (thesis or capstone) project on an appropriate Maternal and Child Health topic.

Faculty

Maternal and Child Health Concentration Lead