The objectives of the study were to describe the US public health nutrition workforce and its future social, biological, and fiscal challenges. It focused on the nutrition personnel working in governmental health agencies. Results showed that the US Department of Agriculture funds 81.7% of full-time-equivalent positions, primarily through the WIC Program. Of those personnel working in WIC, 45% have at least 10 years of experience, compared with more than 65% of the non-WIC workforce. The future workforce will need to focus on increasing its diversity and cultural competence and likely will need to address retirement within leadership positions.
The researchers examines the effects of maternal and provider characteristics on the up-to-date immunization status of children. Results showed that low maternal educational levels and low socioeconomic status were associated with high 4:3:1:3 series completion rates. Also, completion rates were high in Hispanic and non-Hispanic black families with low income-to-poverty ratios.
This study used a social ecological model to examine the influences of sociodemographic factors, mothers; attitudes, financial barriers, and the healthcare delivery system on the use of dental services for 4- to 8-year-old Hispanic children. The results showed that initiating dental care during the preschool years was significantly related to the mothers; beliefs and their social networks ; beliefs in the value of preventive dental care. In addition, extended clinic hours increased the likelihood of returning to the dentist. Provider availability, dental insurance, and family income were related to frequency of planned visits.
The authors analyzed current racial and ethnic differences in immunization coverage rates among US preschool children. During the 6-year study period, the immunization coverage gap between white and black children widened by an average of 1.1% each year, and the gap between white and Hispanic children widened by an average of 0.5% each year. The gap between white and Asian children narrowed by an average of 0.8% each year.
The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of a manual immunization status assessment for preschool-aged children. Paraprofessional immunization specialists conducted a manual immunization status assessment using the WIC client ;s personal vaccination record. Immunization status as recorded in the WIC record was compared with a computerized assessment.
This study examines coverage rates and factors associated with underimmunization at 3 months of age in four medically underserved areas. Vaccination coverage levels at 3 months of age varied across sites: They were 82.4% in northern Manhattan, 70.5% in Detroit, 82.3% in San Diego, and 75.8% in rural Colorado. Among children who were not up to date, the majority (65.7% to 71.5%, per site) had not received vaccines because of missed opportunities.
The authors analyzed maternal characteristics associated with vaccination in US preschool children. Results showed that factors most strongly associated with undervaccination included mothers who were black; had less than a high school education; were divorced, separated, or widowed; had multiple children; were eligible for WIC, but not participating; or had incomes below 50% of the federal poverty level.
The study compared the prevalence of caries between children whose parents had previously participated in an infant oral health education program at a WIC clinic with those whose parents had not participated in such a program. The study results showed that parents ; previous WIC education program participation was highly associated with lower carious lesions. The research indicated that WIC could have a positive impact on caries prevention.
The study objective was to determine whether collocation of WIC clinics at managed care provider sites improved healthcare for infants enrolled in Medicaid and WIC. The findings revealed that compared with other infants, those who visited collocated WIC sites were either closer to their age-appropriate weight or had higher immunization rates when recertified by WIC staff after their first birthday.
The researchers examines the association between childhood obesity and preschool enrollment and number of hours in child care among low-income preschool-aged children participating in the WIC Program. Children enrolled in preschool for more than 4 days per week were less likely to be obese. Meanwhile, children who watched at least an hour or more per day of TV and videos or who had mothers with higher body mass indices were more likely to be obese.
