Improving Physician Engagement in Community Health Initiatives

Community-based maternal and child health initiatives are transforming how we approach care. They place families at the center, address social drivers of health, and build systems that are more responsive and consider the unique needs of the people we serve. Yet, across more than a decade of working with states and communities to improve maternal and infant outcomes, one truth continues to surface: physicians, especially those not embedded in community-based organizations, are often missing from the table.

Their absence is notable because their presence has the potential to accelerate progress and strengthen efforts to improve care. Physicians are powerful messengers, decision-makers, and influencers. Their engagement can enhance trust, bridge gaps between clinical and community systems, and help ensure more birthing people and families receive holistic, respectful care. But too often, physicians aren’t invited, aren’t aware, or don’t see a role for themselves in these efforts.

When I think about this missed opportunity, I recall the StartStrong project in the Avondale community of Hamilton County, Ohio. This initiative achieved a significant reduction in early preterm births through a new model of care that placed pregnant people — not providers — at the center. What made this effort so successful wasn’t just its integrated support system or data-informed strategies, but the deep relationships built between clinical providers and the community. Neighborhood feasts, simple shared meals, became the foundation for trust-building between physicians and families. These authentic moments of connection broke down silos, humanized care, and helped providers see the value of being present in community-led work.

It’s a straightforward concept — break bread, build trust — but one that remains far too rare. Why?

Understanding the Barriers

Physicians face very real challenges to participating in community health initiatives:

• Lack of awareness: Many don’t know these efforts exist or haven’t seen the evidence of their impact.
• Time constraints: Busy schedules and heavy clinical loads leave little room for external engagement.
• Limited training: Few physicians are trained in community engagement, advocacy, or public health beyond the bedside.
• Systemic disconnects: Traditional healthcare systems often elevate clinical interventions while sidelining community-based prevention and healing.

These barriers are not insurmountable. They require intentional strategies and a mindset shift that values community voice, shared leadership, and partnerships beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals.

Five Strategies to Strengthen Physician Engagement

Here are several ways we can shift the narrative and create space for physicians to become vital partners in community-based maternal and child health efforts:

1. Raise awareness within professional circles.
   If physicians don’t know about local programs, they can’t join them. We must embed information about community initiatives into the spaces they already frequent, including presentations at medical conferences, grand rounds, and specialty society meetings. Featuring success stories in journals or association newsletters, or sharing short, engaging videos that show the impact of physician involvement, can help bridge the gap.
2. Link participation to professional value.
   Physicians are more likely to engage when their time is respected and their contributions are recognized. This could include offering Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for participation, recognizing physician champions through awards or profiles, or securing collaborative grants that encourage partnerships between medical professionals and community-based organizations.
3. Build practical pathways between clinics and communities.
   Many physicians want to support patients beyond the exam room but don’t know how. We can make it easier by developing streamlined referral systems, fostering interdisciplinary care teams that include community health workers and doulas, and using technology to facilitate coordination and communication to help physicians stay connected and informed.
4. Equip physicians with tools and training.
   Caring for a patient includes understanding the context of their life, which is shaped by their community. Training in community health advocacy, cultural humility, and patient-centered communication can help. Toolkits that provide guidance for co-hosting community events or engaging in local initiatives can also be valuable. Peer learning networks allow physicians to exchange ideas and troubleshoot common barriers.
5. Strengthen local and institutional partnerships.
   Healthcare systems and community organizations share a goal: healthier families. Hospitals can support physician participation in community efforts by allocating protected time and resources. Community-based organizations can extend authentic invitations for physicians to contribute without assuming a leadership role. Policymakers can invest in maternal and child health strategies that require and reward cross-sector collaboration.

Moving from Absence to Action

Physicians do not need to run community programs or become public health experts to make a meaningful difference. They simply need to show up consistently, with humility, and with a willingness to listen and learn.

Their presence matters. It helps break down barriers between the exam room and everyday life, strengthens trust between families and health systems, and it reminds us that improving maternal and child health is not just about better treatments, but about stronger relationships.

Improving physician engagement is a challenge, but also a profound opportunity. By creating space for physicians to partner in community work, we can build a system of care that supports pregnant people and their families more holistically. A system grounded in partnership and respect.

Let’s open more doors. Let’s sit together at more tables. That’s how we create a future where maternal health is not only a clinical priority, but a shared commitment to thriving communities.