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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Lewis Margolis, Michelle Mayer, Kathryn Anderson Clark, and Anita Farel. University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445, 919-966-5974, lew_margolis@unc.edu

The devolution of public health responsibilities to state governments has been taking place since the creation of the MCH Services Block Grant (MCHSBG) in 1981. While the MCHSBG provides core funding for infrastructure, population-based services, enabling services, and gap-filling for clinical and other services that may not be readily available, the capacity of MCH agencies to meet the needs of the population is a function of multiple political and economic characteristics of the states. This project examines the relationship between a range of state characteristics and the well-being of CSHCN as evidenced by the 2000-2001 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Previous analyses showing relationships between state capacity and Title V capacity, such as the percentage of Title V funds that are allocated to CSHCN, are now used to demonstrate the relationships between Title V capacity and 8 different outcome measures from the National Survey. For example, per capita Title V expenditures on all children, the percent of Title V allocated to CSHCN and per capita expenditures on CSHCN are positively associated with family reports that they have heard of Title V. Similarly, the percent allocation to CSHCN is positively associated with family report that coordination needs have been addressed. Multivariable techniques will further demonstrate the contributions of different political, economic, and health systems factors to reported well-being. As a result, more attention to these contexts of MCH agency policy and program development may provide a means for strategically planning more effective and, perhaps, more equitable services.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the relationships among measures of state Title V capacity and the self-reported well-being of CSHCN
• Identify state-level social, political and economic indicators that affect the relationship between Title V capacity and well-being of CSHCN
• Prioritize among social, political and economic indicators in order to develop possible strategies for enhancing support for CSHCN

Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Health Departments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered