DESIGN A sample of nurses working internationally in MCH was interviewed for their views and ideas. Secondary analysis of foreign aid, foreign investments, labor force participation, and MCH data was conducted.

CONCEPTS We link the economic development and foreign investment dollars to the MCH outcomes (e.g., neonatal morbidity and mortality concepts) as well as to long term development of the labor market in developing nations.

METHODS We used interviews, focus groups, and secondary data analysis.

FINDINGS The argument for international and national support of nurse led health care organizations can, and should, be made in terms of the economic stability of developing nations.

CONLUSIONS Securing larger and more stable economic support of nurse led MCH programs in the developing world is justifiable from a macroeconomic perspective. This perspective has the potential to ground MCH support more firmly in the mainstream of foreign policy and foreign aid.

IMPLICATIONS By situating MCH support in the larger policy and economic arenas of foreign affairs, nurses and other health policy experts will be able to counter the movement in foreign policy and aid to shift the dollars from MCH to other areas of health care (e.g., the elderly, chronic care). This paper argues that there is a way to support MCH work as well as other areas of health care and avoid the intergenerational conflict over resources that currently is brewing among foreign policy experts.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004