Introduction

The purpose of the HRSA/MCHB All Grantee Meeting: The Future of Maternal and Child Health was twofold: (1) to identify the most critical issues for maternal and child health (MCH) in assigned Institute of Medicine (IOM) areas of action and change and (2) to identify key strategies for addressing each issue that are key to improving MCH over the next 5 to 10 years. Meeting participants included state maternal and child health (MCH) agency grantees, discretionary grantees, MCHB staff, families, and other partners, all of whom are key MCH leaders that play pivotal roles in shaping the future of MCH. Participants were broken into six teams that corresponded with one of six IOM areas of action and change.

The six IOM areas of action and change incorporate many MCHB strategic goals for FY 2003-2007. The goals are as follows:

MCHB Goal #1. Provide national leadership for MCH
MCHB Goal #2. Promote an environment that supports MCH
MCHB Goal #3. Eliminate health barriers and disparities
MCHB Goal #4. Improve the health infrastructure and systems of care
MCHB Goal #5. Ensure quality of care

Participants were broken up into six teams (identified by color), each of which was assigned one of the six IOM Areas of Action and Change. Teams are as follows:

IOM Area #1. Population Health Approach (Red Team)
Adopting a population health approach that considers the multiple determinants of health (e.g., systems, disparities, demographics, financing)
Cross-reference: MCHB goals 1 and 3

IOM Area #2. Public Health Infrastructure (Blue Team)
Strengthening MCH public health infrastructure (e.g., work force, technology/capacity, surveillance systems)
Cross-reference: MCHB goals 1 and 4

IOM Area #3. Partnerships/Engaging Diverse Communities (Green Team)
Building a new generation of intersectional partnerships that draws on the perspectives and resources of diverse communities and engages them in health action (e.g., models or methods of effective partnering)
Cross-reference: MCHB goals 1 and 2

IOM Area #4. Systems of Accountability to Ensure Quality and Availability of MCH Services (Yellow Team)
Developing systems of accountability to ensure quality and availability of public health services
Cross-reference: MCHB goals 1 and 5

IOM Area #5. Evidence/Decision-Making and Measuring Success (Orange Team)
Making evidence the foundation of decision-making and the measure of success (e.g., data, research, program evaluation)
Cross-reference: MCHB goals 1 and 2

IOM Area #6. Facilitating Communication Within the Public Health System (Pink Team)
Enhancing and facilitating communication among all levels and between public health professionals and community members
Cross-reference: MCHB goal 1

This information is currently being used by MCHB for future strategic planning and program direction setting.