PROMOTING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - PUBLIC-POLICY INITIATIVES RELATED TO PRENATAL-CARE

Providing community-based health programs that are responsive to the p erceived health needs of the community is key to providing critically needed health services to those currently untreated or uninsured. An i nnovative and culturally sensitive community-partnership program of pr enatal care developed for rural Hawaii (Malama) provides a model for e ffectively integrating the values and expertise of academia and those of the community, as well as of psychology and nursing. Such illustrat ions are vital for effective healthcare reform.