With the number of public health nurses (PHN) declining nationwide, it’s crucial to understand where PHNs work, what they do, and how to address workforce development needs. However, estimates of the size of the PHN workforce vary depending on data source, and current workforce survey methods often categorize PHNs based on work setting, which does…
Health centers—often referred to as federally qualified health centers or FQHCs—play a vital role in addressing perinatal inequities. However, there is limited data on how various staffing models, including the presence of certified nurse midwives (CNMs), influence perinatal outcomes. This article identifies how different health center perinatal staffing configurations—including the availability and use of CNMs—relate…
Increasing evidence shows that mental health disorders are becoming more frequent and severe among higher education students, with burnout and stress being potential contributors. For graduate health professional students, these issues are further compounded by the lack of diversity in these programs, which can impact the educational and social experiences of both majority (mainly White)…
Nurses have been the backbone of the US governmental public health system, constituting the largest professional group within the public health workforce. However, while the overall governmental public health workforce has seen a significant decrease in size, the public health nursing (PHN) workforce has been particularly affected. This article addresses gaps in understanding the public…
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There has been growing interest in recent years about doula care and its role in addressing racial disparities in maternal health. Over half of the states in the US are currently exploring or in the process of implementing Medicaid coverage for doula care. During this virtual meeting our panel of experts answered audience questions about…
Navigators in the federal Insurance Navigator Program provide enrollment assistance, outreach, and education to individuals who are eligible for health insurance coverage. Their work is key to public health efforts to address inequities but continues to be poorly understood and undervalued. This article examines the navigator profession to better understand the equity work they do,…
Birth doulas, who support pregnant women during the perinatal period, have positive impacts on pregnancy and birth outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. However, health workforce-related barriers challenge the development of robust doula services in the United States. This article examines various approaches to train, recruit, and employ doulas, as well as what system-level changes are…
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Obama Administration created the federal Health Insurance Navigator Program, which seeks to reduce the rate of uninsured in the United States. Under this program, navigators help people procure insurance coverage through federally facilitated Marketplaces (or Exchanges). During COVID-19, financial insecurity and substantial budget cuts created increased shortages and…
Community-based doulas provide essential services and expertise which address inequities and systemic gaps in perinatal care. However, as they work to improve perinatal health, doulas themselves are providing equity work amidst an inequitable system and with insufficient political or financial support. Increased compensation and systemic support which acknowledges the breadth of services provided are needed…
