WOMEN,
CHILDREN, AND PUBLIC HEALTH
MPH 600
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC
HEALTH
W. TWEEL, MD, MPH
WHY
DO WOMEN AND CHILDREN DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION?
THE NEED IS GREAT
l
48% OF THE U.S. POPULATION CONSISTS OF WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE,
CHILDREN, AND YOUTH UNDER THE AGE OF 22 YEARS.
l THEY ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED AMONG AMERICANS IN POVERTY. IN 1990 CHILDREN
COMPRISED NEARLY 40% OF THE NATION’S POOR.
l PREGNANCY AND
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ARE ESPECIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF
DYSFUNCTION, DISEASE, AND DISABILITY.
l WOMEN AND
CHILDREN ARE THE LEAST REPRESENTED IN DECISION-MAKING CIRCLES THAT DESIGN AND
MANAGE HEALTH CARE.
l THIS
POPULATION OFFERS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR BENEFIT FROM HEALTH PROMOTION AND
DISEASE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.
l WOMEN AND
CHILDREN HAVE UNIQUE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRING THE
TAILORING OF PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES ALONG WITH COMPREHENSIVE, POPULATION
BASED SERVICES.
TEN ESSENTIAL MCH PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS
1 DATA
COLLECTION
l ASSESS AND
MONITOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH STATUS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS PROBLEMS
2
INVESTIGATION
l DIAGNOSE AND
INVESTIGATE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HEALTH HAZARDS AFFECTING WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND
YOUTH
3
EDUCATION
l INFORM AND
EDUCATED THE PUBLIC AND FAMILIES ABOUT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH ISSUES
4 COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
l MOBILIZE
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN POLICYMAKERS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, FAMILIES,
THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND OTHERS TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE MCH PROBLEMS
5 LEADERSHIP
l PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR PRIORITY SETTING,
PLANNING, AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO ASSURE THE
HEALTH OF WOMEN, CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES
6 PROMOTE AND ENFORCE LAWS
l PROMOTE AND
ENFORCE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS THAT PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN,
CHILDREN, AND YOUTH AND ENSURE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR WELL BEING
7 ASSURE
ACCESS
l LINK WOMEN,
CHILDREN, AND YOUTH TO HEALTH AND OTHER COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SERVICES, AND
ASSURE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE, QUALITY SYSTEMS OF CARE
8 ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE
l SURE
CAPACITY AND COMPETENCY OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PERSONAL HEALTH WORK FORCE TO
EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEEDS
9
EVALUATE
l EVALUATE THE
EFFECTIVENESS, ACCESSIBILITY AND QUALITY OF PERSONAL HEALTH AND
POPULATION-BASED MCH SERVICES
10 RESEARCH
l SUPPORT
RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATIONS TO GAIN NEW INSIGHTS AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO
MCH RELATED PROBLEMS