Accommodating new versions of birth certificate
FHOP has done some revisions to the EpiBC software to accommodate changes in the 2005 and 2006 birth certificates. The major change is in the method of delivery category. We have added some preprogrammed reports for using this information and revised the data dictionary and the manual.
The 2007 birth certificate has many revisions in format and content. AVSS export file is much larger and cannot be accommodated through a revision of EpiBC. We are working with the state to identify resources to create a new version of software that will be used for 2007 and onward. The previous version is still needed for BCs prior to 2007.

Changes to calculating the gestational age
The way EpiBC calculates "age" variables- gestational, age in years, weeks, etc.-has been changed from using the round function to using the "floor" or "absolute" function. This means that the age of an individual is one age up to the date of her/his next birthday rather that rounding up to the next age if the date is close. This is the way it has been done in various federal SAS programs and is in accordance with the federal guidelines. The change has been reflected in the EpiBC manual as well.

An updated Databook for neonatal, post-neonatal, infant, child and adolescent deaths is now available on the FHOP website for the 12-year period 1994 through 2005. This is a revision of the earlier released databook covering the same period. An alert user noticed an obvious "bug" that we corrected. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Over this period, average neonatal, post-neonatal and infant death rates dropped at a statistically significant rate between 1994 and 1999 and then leveled off for the overall population and for most race-ethnic groups. Nonetheless, neonatal, post-neonatal, and infant death rates remain above the Healthy People 2010 objective for all groups but Asians. Despite good progress, disparities persist. The disparity in African American infant mortality rate remains at 2.2 times higher than the overall state rates.

Overall mortality rates for children age 1 to 14 decreased significantly through the 1990's and then flattened out between 2000 and 2005. Race/ethnic specific mortality rates also decreased significantly up to 2000 for all groups. The disparity in African American rates decreased from 1.7 times that of the state in 1999 to 1.3 in 2005.

Among youth age 15 to 19, the statewide death rate followed the same pattern with significant decreases through the late 1990's that leveled off through 2005. For African American youth, rates decreased from 2.4 times the state in 1994 to 1.9 times the state in 2005. Mortality rates for youth age 15 to 19 remain above the Healthy People 2010 objective for all groups except Asians.

Getting ready for the Title V 5-year needs assessment: Using the FHOP Data Sources

With the Title V assessment coming up MCAH directors will need to know how to access data provided by FHOP on each of the 27 required indicators and also data that they may need to monitor their progress on their selected priority areas. By the end of the raining participants will be able to:
1. Successfully navigate the FHOP website to find what you need
2. Identify the sources of data for the 27 MCAH indicators
3. Identify the sources of data for other areas of interest
4. Interpret the rate tables in the FHOP Databooks i.e. the data spreadsheets
5. Interpret the trend tables in the FHOP Databooks
6. Use the blank data templates and other planning tools

We will send a training alert as soon as the registrations are open. You are also welcome to check our web site for updates.