Maternal And Child Health Programs Research Articles

Child health benefits packages: lessons from Minnesota for State Children's Health Insurance Programs.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides state maternal and child health (MCH) programs an opportunity to assure comprehensive health services are available to children through the selection of an appropriate benefits package. Minnesota had this chance in 1994 when the state was considering development of a universal standard benefits set. While the Minnesota MCH program was not at the policy table, they worked through a process that increased their influence on decisions by responding to a legislative call for a definition of "appropriate and necessary" care. This definition was ultimately adopted by policymakers in creating the recommended Universal Standard Benefits Set. This experience may provide an important incentive to other state MCH programs seeking opportunities to participate in the development of state SCHIP plans.

Typology of local health departments based on maternal and child health core functions.

A survey of Missouri local health departments (LHDs) was conducted to measure core public health functions within maternal and child health (MCH). Measurement was based on a prior key informant study that defined each core function as a set of specific MCH activities, programs, and services. The 59 items in the survey operationalized these activities and enabled the creation of summary scores for assessment, policy development, and assurance. Participation included 93 of the 112 Missouri LHDs (83%) in 1995. Reliability coefficients for the summary scores ranged from .83 to .92. Cluster analysis produced six types of LHDs with differing core function patterns. By matching efforts to improve core function practice to LHD type, more efficient use of capacity building resources may result.

MCH functions framework: a guide to the role of government in maternal and child health in the 21st century.

At the close of the 20th century, the government's role in maternal and child health is in a state of transition. What is needed is a framework defining roles and responsibilities and guidance on how to operationalize these functions. This article presents the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Functions Framework and discusses its value as an advocacy, planning, evaluation, and educational tool. The Johns Hopkins Child and Adolescent Health Policy Center developed the Framework in collaboration with leading public health organizations. The process entailed formulating a conceptual approach and facilitating consensus among the relevant organizations. The Framework consists of three main components: (a) a list of ten essential public health services to promote maternal and child health, (b) an outline detailing program functions specific to MCH that apply to all levels of government and to all MCH populations, and (c) selected examples of local, state, and federal activities for implementing MCH program functions. The MCH Functions Framework can be used in advocacy, policy development, program planning, organizational assessment, education, and training. To date, it has been used by several state and local MCH agencies and in MCH education and training programs.

Maternal health in the age of AIDS: implications for health services in developing countries.

In developing countries, the HIV/AIDS epidemic will have a major impact on all phases of women's reproductive lives, and will alter many standard approaches to the management of MCH (maternal and child health) services related to fertility regulation, pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period. AIDS-related increased caseloads, occupational risk to health workers and reduced resources will further compromise MCH services. MCH programme managers and service providers need to better understand the nature of both technical and service-related issues intersecting both the MCH and AIDS fields to mitigate this impact.