A REGIONAL INTEGRATED INFORMATION-SYSTEM TO ASSURE MATERNAL-CHILD HEALTH-SERVICES - A PROGRESS REPORT

Priorities for improving the health of our nation include rebuilding t he public health infrastructure through increasing assessment, policy development, and assurance capacities in our communities. Capacity bui lding necessitates formalizing and strengthening public health practic e linkages to achieve Year 2000 objectives. Determining progress in ac hieving objectives requires development of public health infrastructur e surveillance and data system capabilities. The Tracking Center of Tr acking and Outreach Program for St. Louis (TOPS), through unique colla boration among academic and practice partners, laid the foundation for a Regional Integrated Information System (RIIS) by developing a centr alized maternal-child health data base for prenatal and pediatric care providers. The RIIS model provides an example of a capacity building system designed to provide public health surveillance, assessment, pla nning, and evaluation capabilities. Medical Subject Headings (MeH):hea lth information systems, prenatal care, immunization, maternal-child h ealth care, public health surveillance.