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Advocacy Activities
In November 2006, AMCHP contracted with the Women's and Children's Health Policy Center at John Hopkins University to assist with the development of an approach to assist members in explaining the need for MCH program in states. Messaging materials previously produced were not perceived as effective; neither the infrastructure nor the social justice arguments currently in use appear to resonate with lawmakers. The WCHPC was asked to present MCH programming from a "health economics" perspective, focusing on the state, rather than the nation level. The products below are to be used by states in their own individual efforts to educate lawmakers.
Opinion Editorials
A mechanism for articulating the larger and more specific arguments and supporting data
Research Synthesis
From the authors: Because each state has a unique patient population and distinct program portfolio, the synthesis of research findings were crafted to be used flexibly. The selected conditions/populations health problems were based on the following considerations:
- conditions/health problems that my resonate with policy makers and general public as having broad impact (cross socioeconomic lines)
- topics highlighted in the popular media, etc.
- topics reflecting different components of the life course
- topics reflecting areas where some level of state activity exists
The set of research synthesis therefore includes materials on:
The synthesis are based on a systematic extensive review o the peer-review health literature published between 1995-2006. Each study cited was critically examined for scientific and methodological soundness by faculty of the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Studies were not referenced in the syntheses where research results were weak.
States can select examples that best reflect their specific state and political programmatic context, and use a synthesis summary either as a stand alone document or in conjunction with other materials. Each module is organized similarly to include information on epidemiology, treatment and interventions, economic impact and examples of selected state programs. Text on the epidemiology, impact, interventions, or costs can be used separately; the synthesis need not be used in its entirety. States likely will want to create tailored documents by augmenting or translating the basic national figures with their own data on prevalence, incidence, interventions, or costs/expenditures. Where possible, prevalence and incidence rates and per person costs are provided so that state-specific estimates can be calculated.
The information provided in the set of research syntheses might be helpful in preparing factsheets, briefing memos, OpEds or Letters to the Editor, or in correspondence to elected officials.
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