National Health Goals

In 1979, the U.S. Public Health Service first formulated

health care objectives. These goals are ongoing and modified

every 10 years (http://www.nih.gov). Many of these objectives

directly involve maternal and child health care, because im-

proving the health of this young age group will have such

long-term effects. Two overarching national goals are to (a) in-

crease quality and years of healthy life and (b) eliminate health

disparities. The 10 leading health indicators or important sec-

ondary goals are shown in Box 1.6. Ongoing goals specific for

each content area are highlighted in later chapters. National

health goals are intended to help citizens more easily under-

stand the importance of health promotion and disease preven-

tion and to encourage wide participation in improving health

in the next decade. It is important for maternal and child

health nurses to be familiar with these goals because nurses

play such a vital role in helping the nation achieve these ob-

jectives through both practice and research. The goals also

serve as the basis for grant funding and financing of evidence-

based practice.

Trends in the Maternal and Child Health

Nursing Population

The maternal and child population is constantly changing be-

cause of changes in social structure, variations in family

lifestyle, and changing patterns of illness. Table 1.2 summa-

rizes some of the social changes that are altering health care

priorities for maternal and child health nurses. Client advo-

cacy, participating in cost-containment measures, focusing on

health education, and creating new nursing roles are ways in

which nurses have adapted to these changes. Client advocacy

is safeguarding and advancing the interests of clients and their

families. The role includes knowing the health care services

available in a community, establishing a relationship with

families, and helping them make informed choices about

what course of action or service would be best for them. Some

examples of English-Spanish communication that could be

helpful are included at http://thePoint.lww.com.