This book tracks the progress of maternal and child health (MCH)—part of SDG3—in empowered action group states in India. It lays bare regional disparities and unfolds a range of issues relating to inequalities in access to MCH services, complex dynamics behind poor nutrition, health expenditure and impoverishment, structural bottlenecks of health system that hinder effective implementation of programmes; best practices adopted for improving MNCH indicators and appropriate strategies required for more informed policy.The volume: Examines the changing features of health and nutrition of mothers, new-borns and children between pre and post National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Studies reproductive health and well-being of mother and children Explores linkages between food, nutrition and health Examines the underlying factors determining poor health and nutrition Probes into health expenditure, their impoverishment and its bearing on access to maternal and child healthcare services Proposes strategic interventions to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality and improve nutritional status The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of public health, especially maternal and child health specialists, gender studies, development studies and public policy.