The Shifting Sands for Applicants to Maternal and Child Health Training Programs

Objective: Anecdotal evidence suggests that fewer students today than in decades past are applying to maternal and child health (MCH) graduate training programs with previous clinical degrees. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which applicants accepted to an MCH training program demonstrated a shift away from the tradition of having a prior health professional degree and discuss options needed to provide responsive training. Methods: Twenty years of demographic face sheet data (1983 through 2002) for admitted applicants to the MCH training program at the University of South Florida College of Public Health were examined. Results: Quantitative analysis of admission records confirmed the anecdotal data. Today's applicants are more likely to possess undergraduate nonclinical backgrounds rather than clinical health professional training. Statistically significant differences were found between the students with clinical and without clinical degrees for ethnicity, GRE score, GPA, and the length of time needed to complete the MPH degree. Conclusion: Adjustments in MCH curricula may be necessary to be responsive to the shifting sands of clinical and public health work experience among program applicants. However, curriculum modifications need to be ones that maintain the zeal of the new generation of MCH students without diluting the rigor of traditional professional preparation. Some possible responses of training programs are suggested.     

The Pipeline Training Program in Maternal and Child Health: Interdisciplinary Preparation of Undergraduate Students from Underrepresented Groups

The Preparing Academically Successful Students in Maternal and Child Health (MCH PASS) training program provided financial support and specialized training to occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in maternal and child health. The project assisted undergraduate trainees to matriculate into graduate programs in their respective fields and facilitated application into long-term maternal and child health training programs. Sixteen trainees (8 OT and 8 SLP) participated in an undergraduate training program with an emphasis on interdisciplinary teaming, family mentoring, leadership development, public health and population-based research. Instruction occurred in community and classroom settings through didactic instruction and small group discussions. Fifteen of the trainees applied to and were accepted in graduate programs in their respective fields. Two trainees applied to a long-term MCH training program. Students reported increased knowledge about programs that serve women and children, the effects of poverty on health, interdisciplinary teaming and the daily routines of families who have a child with a special health care need. The MCH PASS program provided a unique opportunity for undergraduate students in OT and SLP to learn about public health with an emphasis on maternal and child health. The specialized preparation enabled students to understand better the health concerns of underserved families whose children have special health care needs.     

Measuring the Impact and Outcomes of Maternal Child Health Federal Programs

Improving maternal and child health is a key objective of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and the Healthy People goals for improving the health of Americans. Government initiatives are important particularly for reducing disparities that affect disadvantaged populations. Head Start, Healthy Start, WIC and Medicaid are four federal programs that target disparities in maternal and child health outcomes. This paper reviews recent evaluations of these programs to identify outcomes assessed and opportunities for further evaluation of these programs. We conducted a review of recent evaluation studies assessing the impact of four maternal and child health programs on a health or healthcare outcome. Sources for published literature included the PubMed, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases. Titles and abstracts of studies were examined to determine if they met inclusion criteria. Included studies were categorized by type of outcome examined. Twenty peer-reviewed studies published between January 2006 and June 2011 met inclusion criteria. The majority of studies examined infant outcomes (11), followed by breastfeeding/nutrition (4), maternal health (3), and unintended pregnancy (2). Measures used were consistent across studies; however, findings on the impact of programs were mixed reflecting differences in selection of comparison group, data source and statistical methods. The impact of maternal and child health programs may vary by setting and population served, but inconclusive findings remain. Health service researchers can build upon current evaluations to increase our understanding of what works, help target resources, and improve evaluation of programs in the future.     

妇幼卫生现场调查中的数据质量问题

９０年代以来，在全国范围内已进行了多次不同内容、不同规模的抽样调查。随着抽 样调查工作的开展，如何评价样本对总体的代表性，样本的代表性与现场工作的可行性如何结合， 如何检查数据的漏报与误报；如何校正出生率和死亡率等问题随之提出。本文就以上问题，结合我 们近几年在从事妇幼卫生现场抽样调查工作中的实际浅谈部分意见，相信对从事这方面工作的同 事将会有一定的参考价值。     

School Health Promotion: Child Nutrition Programs

Since 1946, with the enactment of the National School Lunch Act, an important and integral part of the comprehensive school health program has been ensuring the nutritional needs of students are met. This article describes the history of the school nutrition program and how it has adapted to meet the needs of today's students. The modern menu is more healthful, foods are prepared with less salt, sugar, and fat, and nutrition education complements food choices. Through collaboration, nutrition education has been integrated into health education and the other elements of the total school health program to better meet students needs.     

Impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on Puerto Rico Maternal and Child Health Research Programs

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Puerto Rico was hit by two major hurricanes in September 2017 causing great devastation, losing over 90% of the power grid, wireless communication and access to...     

The Role of State Maternal and Child Health Programs in the Issue of Newborn Discharge

Objectives: Since dramatically shortened newborn hospitalization has shifted the focus of care from the hospital, a central policy question has become how to assure a system of care that extends into the home and community. The objective of this study was to examine the role of the state Maternal and Child Health Title V programs in the assessment of the issue of newborn discharge, the development of policies, and the assurance of appropriate care. Method: The director or their designee in all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated in a structured telephone interview lasting 30–60 minutes. Results: Twenty-eight states reported new or previously implemented mandates for 48 hours of private insurance coverage for postpartum hospitalization. Only 6 states reported mandates concerning private insurance coverage of inpatient services, but 20 states reported mandates for postdischarge services. In the assessment function, only 18 maternal and child health (MCH) programs reported that they had undertaken specific studies on the effects of discharge timing in their states. In policy development, 18 of the 51 respondents reported that the MCH program initiated newborn discharge discussions, 23 reported that the agency participated in discussions, and 10 indicated that they did not participate. In assurance, 29 programs reported that they had taken action to provide technical assistance to local communities in developing follow-up systems. The relationship between the performance of core functions and the development of specific discharge policies in the state was minimal. Conclusions: The MCH programs appear to have played varied, but often limited, roles in the development of discharge policies. It is essential for MCH programs to engage actively in the policy-making process. But in the political environment surrounding newborn discharge policy, where laws and regulations consistent with the well-being of infants and mothers were being enacted, the limited MCH program roles may have been appropriate. Arguing against this conclusion, however, is that only 15 programs believed they had been effective and only 19 were satisfied with the discharge policies in their states, which suggests that a more proactive role may be necessary.