The Maternal and Child Health Workforce: A Snapshot of Current and Future Needs From Public Health WINS 2021

Abstract

Objective: To summarize and examine data collected from the first-ever Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey Maternal and Child Health (MCH) module. Design, Setting, and Participants: Responses from MCH governmental public health employees in 47 state health departments and 288 local health departments (LHDs) in the United States. Main Outcome Measure: Demographic characteristics; 4 measures from the MCH module: the importance of and skill level in 5 MCH competencies in daily work, growth and leadership development opportunities, and additional workforce development needs. Results: The MCH workforce predominantly self-identified as women (91.2%) and as White, non-Hispanic (55.2%). At least 70% of respondents reported MCH competencies as important in their daily work, but only 44% to 57% reported being proficient in those competencies. The MCH workforce in LHDs were less likely than those in state health departments to report being proficient in MCH competencies (adjusted prevalence rate ratio range: 0.83-0.92) or have growth and leadership development opportunities (adjusted prevalence rate ratio range 0.76-0.90). Conclusion: The MCH module highlights a need to further prioritize workforce development efforts for governmental public health staff, especially in LHDs. There is an ongoing need to meet public health professionals where they are and to tailor training models and workforce development plans to account for new and ongoing stressors faced by the workforce.