Pregnancy intendedness not only predicts birth outcomes, but is a vital indicator of economic, eduational and health potential across the lifespan. The state of MI collects PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) data, but this is not generalizable to the county level. MIHP (Maternal Infant Health Program) collects this data on the clients they serve, but the data is unavailable at this time and does not represent the entire population. The CDC and state epidemiologists will not come out in support of including pregnancy intendedness as a vital statistic on the birth certificate worksheet because they believe the timing is wrong (i.e. after giving birth, as opposed to in the course of prenatal care). ACOG won't include it on the "Antepartum Record" because they feel the research isn't there to support it. In the meantime, those of us in the trenches are stuck with little data to show whether our initiatives to reduce unintended pregnancies are working or not - what's a local public health worker to do?

Similar questions and discussions