Assessing the Practices of Population-Based Birth Defects Surveillance Programs Using the CDC Strategic Framework,
Cara T Mai1, Adolfo Correa2, Russell S Kirby3
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, GA.
Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
|November 12, 2015
Summary
U.S. birth defects surveillance programs show strengths in data collection and collaboration but need improved IT, analytic skills, and health information exchange standards. Enhancing these areas will improve public health preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Surveillance
- Epidemiology
- Birth Defects Research
Background:
- Population-based birth defects surveillance programs are crucial for monitoring public health.
- Assessing these programs' capacity to meet evolving public health needs is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current practices of U.S. birth defects surveillance programs.
- To identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in addressing public health needs.
Main Methods:
- A 2012-2013 survey of 43 U.S. birth defects programs assessed legal authority, case definition, data sources, and workforce.
- Semi-structured interviews with nine program directors provided further insights into addressing current and emergent needs.
Main Results:
- Most programs (86%) had legislative mandates and used national guidelines for case definition.
- Electronic data formats and multistate collaborations were identified as positive developments.
- Key needs include workforce development in IT and analytics, birth defects-specific health information exchange standards, and improved data dissemination channels.
Conclusions:
- The CDC Strategic Framework effectively identified strengths and weaknesses in birth defects surveillance.
- Strategic improvements are needed in health information exchange readiness and workforce analytic skills.
- Findings can guide efforts to enhance the effectiveness of birth defects surveillance.
