4. How results will be used.

   The State of Alabama 5 year Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment 2001 identifies 10 priority maternal child heath needs that the areas of concern in the current health care system. The results of this study will potentially address four of the ten priority needs:

• Promote health education and outreach
• Reduce African American infant mortality
• Reduce very low birth weight in African Americans
• Assure access to prenatal care

   The state of Alabama presently limits childbirth choices to hospital birth or unattended home birth, by making the practice of home birth midwifery illegal. The applicant intends to use the results of this study to affect changes in legislation and public health policy by demonstrating the benefits to mothers and babies of education and information provided by an independent health care provider.

Sources of information:

Alabama Doulas - www.DONA.org