The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is asking for the help of Alabamians to assess the health needs of women of childbearing age, infants, children and youth in the state.
One way the public can assist is by participating in an anonymous online survey that is to be completed by families, youth and healthcare providers.
Other ways ADPH is collecting information are through focus groups, key informant interviews and listening sessions hosted around the state by the UAB School of Public Health. The purpose of collecting this data is to ensure that public funds are being used wisely and to meet the requirements of the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant Program.
Allison Hatchett, Alabama Title V MCH director, said, “Conducting a comprehensive, statewide MCH needs assessment provides a wealth of valuable information that is used to guide efforts aimed at improving the health and well-being of women and children in Alabama. We need women of childbearing age; individuals who are raising infants, children and youth; teenagers and adolescents and healthcare providers caring for these populations to complete the MCH needs assessment survey.”
The anonymous survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and can be accessed online at ALMCH Needs.
Survey findings will be used to identify priority health issues, assist with strategic planning and outline the allocation of resources as these areas relate to the health and well-being of the maternal and child health population. A needs assessment is conducted every five years.
For more information, please go to ADPH's Maternal and Child Health website or contact the Office of Maternal and Child Health toll-free at 1-800-654-1385 or by e-mail at mch@adph.state.al.us.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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