title: Nurse-midwifery: art and science.
abstract: The gap in the health of the nations' people seems to be widening and reflects existing social inequalities affecting the ongoing health of individuals. From a historical and practical perspective, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are one group of advanced practice registered nurses uniquely situated to address existing disparities related to maternal-child health. This article provides an overview of the historical development, current status, and use of CNMs in the United States health care system; the impact of CNMs on maternal-child health outcomes; and future trends in the education of CNMs.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing, Academic Health Center, PO Box 210038, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0038, USA. Debora.dole@gmail.com
authors.forename: Debora M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.forename: Cynthia F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Nypaver
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education; D014481:United States