The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is launching a new National Child and Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP) in an effort to address the challenges and opportunities of applying new knowledge from evidence based research into practice.

Recently, the NICHD invited representatives from more than 25 organizations in the field of maternal and child health to preview and comment on the new education program. At a meeting in Washington, DC, these leaders provided insights and guidance that will inform the structure and operations of the NCMHEP during its initial planning stages.

The NICHD’s education program will provide a forum to review, translate and disseminate new knowledge on maternal and child health gleaned from evidence-based research. Healthcare providers, at-risk patient groups and strategic publics are the key audiences. The program will identify significant unresolved challenges in the maternal-child health arena and develop novel ways of applying the new knowledge to the issue. One significant topic will be addressed at a time, over the course of 18-24 months. The topics will be identified based on their prominence in the field, identifiable knowledge gaps and associated scientific advances. Preterm birth and the health problems associated with low birth weight will be the first topic to be addressed by the program.

Prospective topics include: pediatric obesity; infant mortality; and environmental influences on child health and development.

"We look forward to collaborating with key stakeholders in creating inventive ways to translate and communicate new knowledge that can improve the health of mothers and their children," said Dr. Duane Alexander, Director of the NICHD. "The impact of this program lies in the collaboration of the stakeholders. Inviting leading organizations in the field of maternal and child health to help shape the program in these initial stages is the first step in fostering that relationship."

The formal launch of the NCMHEP is planned for the summer of 2009. Initially, the NCMHEP will convene a Coordinating Committee of representatives from professional medical and scientific societies and federal agencies Committee members will work to address key challenges in the field using new knowledge gained from current research findings. They will then work to effectively communicate this new knowledge to various audiences by creating and disseminating educational products.

All questions about the program or requests for more information can be directed to nmchep@mail.nih.gov.