Linking Maternal and Child Health Data to Enhance Public Health Surveillance and Implement Sustainable Interventions.

Our initiative aims to enhance the public health informatics infrastructure for surveillance of maternal and child health (MCH) using data captured from electronic health records (EHRs), public health information systems, and administrative health data. Our work includes development, validation, and application of linkage algorithms across records for mothers and children; integration of data across myriad sources; design of routine surveillance reports; and design of longitudinal studies to examine determinants and outcomes in MCH populations. Our work is conducted in partnership with governmental public health agencies, health care providers, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.

Facilitators and Barriers to Breastfeeding Among Veterans Using Veterans Affairs Maternity Care Benefits.

Introduction: U.S. veterans of childbearing age represent one of the fastest growing populations using Veterans Affairs (VA) health care.

Addressing Health Disparities in America: Analysis of Community Health Improvement Plans.

Background: Healthy People 2020 has made achieving health equity one of its overarching goals; another goal is increasing the number of accredited local agencies that have Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). Community Health Improvement Plans are meant to serve agencies as guiding documents for multiple years.

Objectives: This study investigates the prevalence with which health disparities are addressed within CHIPs and the specific health disparities targeted by these objectives.