Improving Child Health: The Role of Policymakers in Prevention and Treatment of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Location: Boston, MA
Contact: Gilian H. Engelson, MPH, (301) 451-2137

Description: The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the views of policymakers in this important area of health policy through three annual conferences, which will examine the following research questions: Question 1: How do state and federal policymakers view their role in the prevention and treatment of birth defects and developmental disabilities? Question 2: What actions (or inaction) in specific areas such as newborn screening, birth defects monitoring, research, information and data sharing, education, outreach, and public health services are policymakers engaged in to address the prevention and treatment of birth defects and developmental disabilities? Question 3: What are the outcomes of particular actions such as the passage of legislation or promulgation of regulations in the areas specified in question 2 in terms of improved prevention, detection, surveillance, quality of care, and access to care for birth defects and developmental disabilities.
Additional Information: Conference Web Site.