Despite improvements in maternal and child health, significant inequities persist in the United States, including disparities in maternal and infant mortality, low birth weight, asthma, and developmental disabilities. A well-trained, supported, and diverse maternal and child health workforce is an important structural factor in addressing these inequities. Existing maternal and child health indices capture some workforce components, such as obstetric physicians and certified nurse midwives, but often overlook broader workforce supports and policies that influence access to care.

This article discusses the development of the Maternal and Child Health Worker Supportive Policy Index, a state-level measure of workforce capacity and supportive policies focused on doulas and midwives, composed of 4 subindices: the Midwifery Workforce Index, Doula Workforce Index, Economic Policy Index, and Labor Policy Index.