MCH Leadership Competency 3: ETHICS

Introduction

Ethical Foundations: Building a Moral Compass for MCH Leadership...

Ethics serves as a guide for navigating the complex moral terrain of maternal and child health. By cultivating a strong ethical foundation, MCH leaders can make principled decisions, build trust with the communities they serve, and drive positive change.

Ethical leadership in MCH goes beyond simply adhering to rules or codes of conduct. It requires a deep understanding of the moral principles that underlie our work and the courage to apply those principles in challenging, real-world situations. It means leading with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to promoting health equity and social justice.

Through MCHnow's Ready-Set-Go approach, you'll have the opportunity to develop your ethical competency from the ground up. Our curated resources will help you establish a solid moral framework, expand your understanding of key ethical issues in MCH, and translate your knowledge into practical leadership strategies.

READY: Understand the Importance of Ethics in MCH

Watch this short video to gain an introduction to the competency.

Read more. The Ethics competency emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying ethical principles in MCH practice. This essential skill supports your ability to make informed, responsible decisions that respect individual rights, promote public good, and address health disparities in MCH populations.

For MCH leaders, a strong ethical foundation is crucial for:

• Applying ethical principles to ensure the health, equity, and well-being of MCH populations
• Maintaining public trust through ethical decision-making and actions
• Navigating complex ethical dilemmas in public health practice
• Balancing individual rights with population health needs
• Addressing health disparities and promoting health equity

As MCH leaders, applying ethical principles allows us to:

• Make decisions that respect cultural diversity and promote health equity
• Address ethical challenges in research involving communities, populations and individuals
• Navigate conflicts between personal values and professional responsibilities
• Promote transparency and accountability in MCH programs and policies

Core knowledge areas include:

• Fundamental ethical principles in public health and MCH
• Ethical frameworks for decision-making in MCH contexts
• Cultural competence and its role in ethical practice
• Ethical considerations in MCH research and data collection
• Professional codes of ethics relevant to MCH practice

SET: Expand your Knowledge with Trainings and Resources

Deepen your understanding of Ethics in MCH with these trainings and resources:

• Public Health Ethics Training (UNC) [Self-paced]: Comprehensive introduction to public health ethics principles and their application in practice.
• Roots of Health Inequity [120 min]: Explore the origins of health inequity and ethical approaches to address them.
• Health Equity Guide Webinar Series [4-part series]: Learn strategies for advancing health equity through organizational change and community partnerships.
• Good Decision Making in Real Time: Practical Public Health Ethics for Local Health Officials [Web-based module]: Practical training on public health ethics basics and ethical analysis processes.
• Strategies for Promoting Health Equity in your State [Guide]: Discover 10 key strategies for advancing health equity in health departments, with state-specific success stories.

GO: Apply Your Knowledge with Practical Tools

Use these tools to incorporate ethical considerations into your MCH leadership practice:

1. Ethics Toolkit (ACHE): Comprehensive resource for creating and maintaining an ethical healthcare organization culture.
2. Community-Driven Health Equity Action Plans Model: Develop local health equity strategies using NAM's seven-step framework.
3. Collaborating for Equity and Justice Toolkit: Implement six principles for ethical collaboration in community health initiatives using this toolkit that includes case studies, resources, and tools related to the 6 core equity principles.

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