Healthy people 2010 leading health indicators: how children with special health care needs fared.

Objectives: We compared estimates for children with and without special health care needs (SHCN) at 2 time periods for national health objectives related to the Healthy People 2010 leading health indicators (LHIs).

Methods: Data were from the 2003 and 2007 National Surveys of Children's Health. Seven survey items were relevant to the LHIs and available in both survey years: physical activity, obesity, household tobacco use, current insurance, personal health care provider, past-month depressive symptoms, and past-year emergency department visits.

A new framework for childhood health promotion: the role of policies and programs in building capacity and foundations of early childhood health.

Although the connection between early life experiences and later health is becoming increasingly clear, what is needed, now, is a new organizing framework for childhood health promotion, grounded in the latest science. We review the evidence base to identify the steps in the overall pathway to ensuring better health for all children. A key factor in optimizing health in early childhood is building capacities of parents and communities.

Residency training and use of strategies to promote community child health one year after graduation.

Objective: Training pediatricians to understand child health in the context of community and to develop skills to engage with community organizations remain priorities for residency education in the United States. Our objectives were to: 1) determine use of strategies to influence community child health by graduates of the Community Pediatrics Training Initiative (CPTI); and 2) to identify personal, practice, and residency program factors associated with use of strategies 1 year after residency.

Methods: Analysis of data from the Dyson Initiative National Evaluation included surveys of physicians ("graduates") 1 year after residency and surveys of CPTI program leaders.

Reducing exposure to environmental toxicants before birth: moving from risk perception to risk reduction.

In this study, we considered approaches to reducing maternal exposure to hazardous environmental toxicants, focusing on risk communication to pregnant women and providers, but also considering identification of environmental toxicants in the community and reduction of environmental toxicants. We addressed the following questions: (1) What do pregnant women and their providers know about environmental toxicants and perinatal health? and (2) What policy strategies are needed (should be considered) to move forward in risk reduction in this area? We reviewed the literature on knowledge of pregnant women and providers regarding these issues. While there is limited research on what pregnant women and their providers know about environmental toxicants and perinatal health, there is evidence of reproductive and perinatal toxicity.

Community pediatrics: a consistent focus in residency training from 2002 to 2005.

Objective: To assess changes in community pediatrics training from 2002 to 2005.

Methods: Pediatric residency program directors were surveyed in 2002 and 2005 to assess resident training experiences in community pediatrics. Program directors reported on the following: provision of training in community settings; inclusion of didactic and practical teaching on community health topics; resident involvement in legislative, advocacy, and community-based research activities; and emphasis placed on specific resources and training during resident recruitment.

The association between women's health information use and health care visits.

Objective: To determine the effect of the type of information sources used on health services use.

Methods: Population-based random-digit dialing survey of 498 women, between December 1999 and January 2000, on use of health information sources and health visits.

Results: After adjustment for sociodemographic and medical factors, use of print health media and computer-based resources was associated with 1.

Local health department perspectives on linkages among birthing hospitals.

Objectives: To describe perinatal linkages among hospitals, changes in their numbers and their impact on relationships among high-risk providers in local communities.

Study Design: Data were obtained about the organization of perinatal services in 1996-1999 from a cross-sectional study evaluating fetal and infant mortality review (FIMR) programs nationwide. Geographic areas were sampled based on region, population density, and the presence of a FIMR.

The relationship of race to women's use of health information resources.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine, among the general public, the independent effect of race on women's use of health information resources.

Study Design: A population-based random-digit dialing survey of adult women, aged 18 to 64 years, was conducted between October 1999 and January 2000. Subjects included 509 women (341 white women, 135 black women, and 33 women of other races).

Associations between maternal and child health status and patterns of medical care use.

Objective: To determine associations in health status and health care utilization between mothers and their children.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the 1996-97 Community Tracking Study Household Survey. Separate logistic regression models describing each type of service use were conducted and adjusted for child age, health status, mother age, race, education, and respondent type.