Research
Research published by Center faculty has dealt with service programs, quality of assurance, children's health, fiscal management, cost benefit analyses, cost containment, capitated pricing systems, and economic projections of educational and health care costs.
We have developed and implemented HIPAA-compliant and IRB-approved information management systems. These population-based datasets are analyzed with state-of-the-art biostatistical methodologies and applied to evaluating initiatives such as the Medicaid Family Planning Waiver where cost savings were documented for teenagers who received family planning services by reducing subsequent pregnancies. We are currently engaged in a similar evaluation of Florida's Healthy Start Program.
MCHERDC faculty have presented and published research related to pregnancy and newborn health status, risk factors associated with low birth weight, birth defects, infant maltreatment, children's health problems, developmental delay and disability, preschool special education, readiness to start school, and behavior problems.
The Center's work products and research findings are being used to develop national and state policy and to improve maternal child health programs and services by documenting longitudinal outcomes, fiscal impact, and cost effectiveness.
