The Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched an initiative on Reproductive Health and Family Planning Indicators. A series of three two-day workshops were held on the development of a national set of model indicators. These workshops brought together Title X Family Planning stakeholders, reproductive health organizations, federal and state health agencies, advocacy groups, researchers, and other interested parties to discuss the subject of reproductive health indicators. The primary purposes of the conferences were to consult with national experts and leaders in the field of reproductive health to identify needs and set priorities around the development of a set of model reproductive health indicators. Discussions included the need and use of indicators, the implications of indicators, and possible application to the Title X Family Planning programs. In addition to the workshops, seven work groups were formed around key topic areas. Each group developed a chapter around their topic providing expert guidance and opinion on the development of indicators. These seven chapters were combined into a final summary document. The primary purposes for developing a national set of reproductive health indicators include: enhance reproductive health in the nation by monitoring the indicators to identify emerging health issues and needs, and identify disparities; to identify reproductive health program needs and assist in program evaluation; to encourage consistency and promote cohesiveness in data collection across different agencies; and to assess the impact of policies on reproductive health in the country and to assist policy makers and program managers. See www.hhs.gov/opa/titlex/indicators/indicators-99.html
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will: 1. recognize current important national reproductive health data sources 2. become familiar with the process undertaken by the Office of Population Affairs to gain consensus on the need for national reproductive health model indicators 3. be able to apply information gained from the OPA experience to other data projects
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Health Indices
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Federal Government, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employer