Contra Costa Health Services, Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs, 597 Center Avenue, Suite 365, Martinez, CA, 94553, USA,
Matern Child Health J. 2014 Feb;18(2):396-404. doi: 10.1007/s10995-013-1309-7.
In recent years, maternal and child health professionals have been seeking approaches to integrating the Life Course Perspective and social determinants of health into their work. In this article, we describe how community input, staff feedback, and evidence from the field that the connection between wealth and health should be addressed compelled the Contra Costa Family, Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) Programs Life Course Initiative to launch Building Economic Security Today (BEST). BEST utilizes innovative strategies to reduce inequities in health outcomes for low-income Contra Costa families by improving their financial security and stability. FMCH Programs' Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) conducted BEST financial education classes, and its Medically Vulnerable Infant Program (MVIP) instituted BEST financial assessments during public health nurse home visits. Educational and referral resources were also developed and distributed to all clients. The classes at WIC increased clients' awareness of financial issues and confidence that they could improve their financial situations. WIC clients and staff also gained knowledge about financial resources in the community. MVIP's financial assessments offered clients a new and needed perspective on their financial situations, as well as support around the financial and psychological stresses of caring for a child with special health care needs. BEST offered FMCH Programs staff opportunities to engage in non-traditional, cross-sector partnerships, and gain new knowledge and skills to address a pressing social determinant of health. We learned the value of flexible timelines, maintaining a long view for creating change, and challenging the traditional paradigm of maternal and child health.
近年来，母婴健康专业人员一直在寻求将生命历程视角和健康的社会决定因素纳入其工作的方法。在本文中，我们描述了社区投入、员工反馈以及该领域的证据，即财富与健康之间的联系应该得到解决，这促使 Contra Costa 家庭、母婴健康（FMCH）计划生命历程倡议启动了今天的建设经济安全（BEST）。BEST 利用创新策略，通过改善低收入 Contra Costa 家庭的财务安全和稳定性，来减少健康结果的不平等。FMCH 计划的妇女、婴儿和儿童计划（WIC）开展了 BEST 财务教育课程，其医学脆弱婴儿计划（MVIP）在公共卫生护士家访期间进行了 BEST 财务评估。还开发并向所有客户分发了教育和转介资源。WIC 的课程提高了客户对财务问题的认识，并增强了他们改善财务状况的信心。WIC 的客户和工作人员还了解了社区中的财务资源。MVIP 的财务评估为客户提供了一个新的、必要的视角来看待他们的财务状况，并为照顾有特殊医疗需求的儿童的财务和心理压力提供了支持。BEST 为 FMCH 计划的工作人员提供了参与非传统的跨部门合作的机会，并获得了新的知识和技能，以解决健康的一个紧迫的社会决定因素。我们了解到灵活的时间表、为创造变革保持长远眼光以及挑战母婴健康的传统模式的价值。
