Learn how policy, practice and media shape maternal and child health

You asked for it — and we listened. Based on strong student feedback, H 299 was created for those curious to learn more about reproductive, maternal and child health in the United States.

You’ll explore fertility, family planning, pregnancy, birth and early childhood health while learning how policy, practice and media shape what families experience.

You’ll also compare common U.S. approaches with current evidence and build the skills to separate fact from misinformation.

What makes this course stand out?

Evidence in action 

Learn to spot reliable research and differentiate science from hype on social media

Policy to practice

Connect laws, guidelines and systems to real outcomes for parents and infants

Interactive workshops

Practice quick appraisal of social media posts, claims and wellness trends

Clinical basics

Review core reproductive physiology and screening concepts to ground your analysis

Case studies

Examine topics such as water birth, prenatal screening and mammography through an equity lens

Zero-cost materials

Required readings provided in Canvas

Learn from an expert in reproductive health

Taught by Associate Professor Marit Bovbjerg, a reproductive epidemiologist whose research focuses on birth outcomes, maternity care and health behaviors during the perinatal period, this course brings science and lived experience together.

You’ll gain insight from real-world data, current debates and practical examples drawn from Marit’s work with families and health systems.

Who should take this course? 

Public health majors

Build a foundation in maternal and child health with skills in policy analysis and evidence appraisal.

Pre-med students

Strengthen your ability to assess clinical claims and communicate clearly with patients and families.

Nursing and health professions students

Connect guidelines to everyday care and learn to evaluate fast-moving wellness trends.

Human development and family sciences majors

Understand how policy and practice shape family health across the lifespan.

Nutrition students

Examine how pregnancy, infant feeding and early-life nutrition intersect with public guidance and media.

Sociology and psychology majors

Explore how social structures, belief systems and information environments influence health behaviors.

Political science and public policy majors

Analyze how evidence informs U.S. health policy and how policy choices affect maternal and child outcomes.