Centering and Advancing Health Equity within a Federal Maternal and Child Health Initiative: A Case Study of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program

Adverse maternal and child health outcomes affect women and infants across all racial and ethnic populations, with a disproportionate burden of loss among Black and Indigenous families. The study presents racial and ethnic disparity data. The intent is not to imply there is a White normative standard for maternal and child health outcomes, but merely to highlight the current gaps across populations. Health equity calls for us to eliminate disparities and improve the health of all people. The term “at-risk” is used only when describing the original language of program legislation, when it is in a direct quote, and when it is critiqued as a stigmatizing label for families and communities.