Oral

The purpose of this panel is to highlight the importance of understanding maternal mental health and the impact on health, health behaviors, and healthcare of children and their mothers in the US. A paucity of research has considered the broad health and social impact of poor maternal mental health. Panelists will present research relating maternal mental health to: nutritional practices, childhood obesity, healthcare costs, and the receipt of mental health treatment. This panel is relevant and timely. Maternal mental health problems present a major public health issue, often with long-term adverse health outcomes for mothers, children, families, and society. This panel will provide evidence of the pervasive impact of poor maternal mental health across a broad array of outcomes. Addressing maternal mental health will be critical in improving the health of women, children, and their families across the lifecourse and potentially across generations.

Session Objectives: By the end of this panel, the participants will be able to: Describe the impact of maternal mental health on health, health behaviors, and healthcare of children and their mothers in the US Discuss the overall clinical and policy implications of these findings for improving maternal mental health and child health outcomes

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)