Evaluation of a Language and Literacy Enhancement Program.

Reading aloud to children encourages language development. Pediatricians promote reading practices through Reach Out and Read (ROR) and other methods. This exploratory study sought to examine the value that supplemental materials promoting "Touch, Talk, Read, Play" (TTRP) might provide in addition to ROR.

Changes in Breastfeeding Attitudes in a Metropolitan Community in Tennessee.

Background: The Southern United States has low breastfeeding rates, particularly among African Americans. Breastfeeding rates are influenced by community attitudes and norms.

Objective: This study aimed to examine changes in breastfeeding attitudes and demographic factors related to these attitudes.

The relation of FIMR programs and other perinatal systems initiatives with maternal and child health activities in the community.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of the presence of a fetal and infant mortality review (FIMR) program, other perinatal systems initiative (PSI), or both in a community with the performance of essential maternal and child health (MCH) services by local health departments (LHDs).

Methods: Data were obtained from telephone interviews with professionals from LHDs across the United States. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of a LHD conducting each essential MCH service in communities with and without FIMR programs or with and without PSIs, adjusted for geographic area.

Comparison of FIMR programs with other perinatal systems initiatives.

Objectives: While the goals of fetal and infant mortality review (FIMR) programs and other perinatal systems initiatives (PSI) are similar, our knowledge of the processes they use to meet their goals is limited. This article compares a nationwide sample of FIMR programs and PSIs with regard to their roles and involvement in performance of eight essential maternal and child health services (EMCHS) as part of a national evaluation of FIMR.

Methods: The evaluation was a cross-sectional observational study in which geographic units were sampled based on the presence or absence of a FIMR or other PSI using FIMRs as the sampling frame of reference.