MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Public Health is asking that families with children or youth complete an online survey concerning health and health care services. The anonymous survey is being conducted during the months of July through September and takes about 20 minutes or less to complete. To take the survey, please go to www.adph.org and click on “Survey of Alabama’s Families.”
State Health Officer Dr. Donald E. Williamson said, “We want as much participation as possible from Alabama residents who are taking care of children or youth. Information gained from the survey will help us identify the most important health-related needs of children, youth and their families. This information will be considered when we decide how to best allocate resources to better promote the health of these groups.”
The Health Department receives approximately $11.5 million annually from the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau to assure continued improvement in the health, safety and well-being of women of childbearing age, children, youth and their families. To help assure that these dollars are used wisely, a statewide maternal and child health needs assessment is conducted every five years.
The online survey of families is one aspect of the current needs assessment. Other aspects include a survey of health care providers and nonmedical organizations serving these groups; focus groups; and analysis of pertinent existing databases, such as birth and death records.
If you are taking care of children or youth, the Health Department would greatly appreciate your completion of the survey. Postcard-sized fliers to encourage participation in the survey are being distributed statewide at public health clinics and other places.
For more information, please contact Tammie R. Yeldell, M.P.H., Director, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Branch, Bureau of Family Health Services, Alabama Department of Public Health, by telephone at (334) 206-5553 or by email at mch@adph.state.al.us.
