The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5145.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 2:54 PM

Abstract #67875

PeriStats: A new resource to support program planning and policy development

Michael Davidoff, MPH, Joann Petrini, PhD, MPH, and Rebecca Russell, MSPH. Perinatal Data Center, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, 914.997.4549, mdavidoff@marchofdimes.com

PeriStats is a database-driven web resource publicly available via the March of Dimes web site providing national, state and county maternal and infant health data in an interactive, user-friendly format. PeriStats was designed by the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, specifically to support professionals working to improve the health of women and infants by providing perinatal data to inform needs assessments, policy development, program planning, and professional health education materials.

PeriStats users can instantly display graphs, tables, maps, and geographic comparisons for their choice of health indicators by race, ethnicity and maternal age. Some health indicators include measures of prenatal care adequacy, low birthweight, preterm birth, health insurance coverage, and sexually transmitted diseases. Data are organized into four broad categories: births, infant deaths, population, and risk indicators. PeriStats provides relevant Healthy People 2010 objectives that can be used as benchmarks for community goals and policy statements. National and State county maps can be generated that incorporate these goals so users can communicate priority geographic areas within a particular state.

This presentation will allow APHA attendees to experience PeriStats by providing a guided tour of the site and examples of how data can inform community planning and policy development. In addition, handouts will be provided to demonstrate the benefits of this resource to participants whose daily activities are focused on understanding the needs of mothers and infants.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Perinatal Outcomes

Related Web page: www.marchofdimes.com/peristats

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Using Electronic Technology as a Planning and Resource Tool

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA