Title: Innovations in Maternity Health Services Committee Update
Author:
Section/SPIG: Maternal and Child Health
Issue Date:
As this newsletter is being prepared for the Section membership, each committee has just finished working on their presentations for the Annual Meeting. This leaves a momentary pause to reflect on the “bigger picture” – like what is Maternal and Child Health really about these days (daze?). The world seems very involved in destruction, making it difficult to assert the priorities of well baby and positive maternity health services. Yet, this is truly what it is all about!
The need to reconsider constantly the needs of the most vulnerable populations, pregnant women and their families, must be reestablished as a high ranking priority. This is the future, and what happens during these formative nine months can mark an individual’s entire life. These issues, while very global and philosophical, permeate the daily activities of numerous public health workers in every community. How does this particular patient/client receive the care and assistance which she needs to provide adequately for her child?
The Innovations in Maternity Health Services Committee has chosen to focus on evidence based practice as an example of improving patient-centered health care. The group continues to address the issues of access to quality care for all pregnant women as the primary goal for all MCH programs. The growing impact of increased malpractice costs in the United States has further limited care to women across the nation.
Yes, there must be answers, and there must be time for such discussions….online, in committee meetings, and at the Annual Meeting. The members of the MCH section must support each other through these trying times. Together there can be improved access to services and quality of care, which will enhance satisfaction with such services for both for patients and providers.
Barb Levin
Barb11@aol.com
Carol Nelson
cpmcnel@usit.net