School of Public Health receives federal grant to establish maternal and child health program

Improving the health of mothers and children in Texas is the goal of the new maternal and child health program at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health.

The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a $350,000, 5-year grant to support the creation of the interdisciplinary program in maternal and child health at the school. Brandie Taylor, Ph.D., will direct the program that will help to address the current maternal and child health public health needs of the state.

The program will expose students to foundational maternal and child health content through coursework, seminars and research. Taylor will work with co-director, Eva Shipp, Ph.D., to develop graduate-level coursework in maternal and child health. They will collaborate with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Census Research Data Center, and prenatal clinics to develop training, research and internship opportunities.

Funding will also be used to provide students scholarships for directed research with maternal and child health faculty as well as travel to maternal and child health conferences.