A recent article published in BMC Public Health
evaluated Alabama’s pilot to reduce the state’s high infant mortality rate. Researchers found that the program successfully lowered infant mortality among white married mothers, but infant mortality worsened for Black married mothers. The program showed no significant change for single mothers of any race. The findings underscore the importance of designing more-targeted, equity-focused interventions to close persistent gaps in infant health outcomes.
In 2025, Policies for Action continued to fund research probing the root causes of racial and socioeconomic inequities across health, wealth, housing, and more. Across dozens of studies—including energy insecurity, maternal health, economic policy, and workplace flexibility—one theme stood out: Policy influences health outcomes deeply, as do the stories we tell about those policies. Evidence from this research shows even modest changes to public systems can have substantial effects on well-being, while narrative change, community organizing, and culturally grounded approaches are not peripheral “soft” strategies but essential tools for structural transformation. As we move into 2026, these insights offer
a roadmap for translating evidence into more-equitable policies and practice.
Nearly a decade of Policies for Action–funded research shows that improving maternal and infant health requires more than clinical care alone. A new synthesis highlights five evidence-based lessons demonstrating how stable insurance coverage, responsive care delivery, local public investment, economic security, and administrative policy design all shape birth outcomes—often long before pregnancy begins and long after delivery. While expanded coverage and investment can improve outcomes, persistent inequities underscore the need for policies that explicitly address how race, place, and structural conditions influence who benefits. As National Maternal Health Awareness Day approaches, this research offers
timely insights for policymakers, advocates, and journalists working to advance safer, more equitable births.
We’re excited to share a new Substack series that takes a deep dive into 10 years of P4A evidence-based policy research and key insights that have shaped thinking in the field. This series highlights lessons learned, impactful findings, and the ways rigorous research continues to inform real-world policy decisions. Whether you’re tracking the evolution of policy strategies or looking for inspiration for your own work, this series offers valuable reflections and forward-looking perspectives.
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