Annotation: This report describes the results of a 2004-2012 literature search that evaluated the performance of screening instruments for postpartum depression, potential benefits and harms of screening, and impact on appropriate postscreening actions. Report contents include an introduction to postpartum depression and its adverse outcomes, screening, clinical and socioeconomic factors affecting risk; chapters on the study methods and results; a discussion of the findings; and conclusions and references. Appendices provide further detail into how the study was performed.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000, Rockville, MD 20850, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (800) 358-9295 E-mail: http://info.ahrq.gov Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov Available from the web site. Document Number: AHRQ Publication No. 13-EHC064-EF.

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Keywords: Literature reviews, MCH research, Maternal mental health, Mother child relations, Postpartum depression, Research methodology, Screening

Annotation: This issue of The Future of Children explores the prevalence, nature, treatment, and consequences of childhood disability. Contributors to the volume review research on childhood disability, including its definition, its prevalence and trends over time, and the costs that disability imposes both on the individual child and on the child's family. They consider disability within the context of the nation's educational, health insurance, and medical systems and examine the impact of emerging technologies on the experience of disability. Research and policy recommendations are included. An executive summary and a policy brief are also available from the website.

Contact: Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: (202) 797-6000 Fax: (202) 797-6004 E-mail: communications@brookings.edu Web Site: http://www.brookings.edu Available from the website. Document Number: ISBN 978-0-9814705-7-3.

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Keywords: Children, Children with special health care needs, Disabilities, Families, Public policy, Research reviews

Annotation: This report examines the effects of available interventions for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), focusing on the following outcomes: core symptoms of ASD (impairments in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavior); medical and mental health comorbidities; functional behaviors and independence; the transition to adulthood; and family outcomes. The report discusses the various interventions discussed in the literature (behavioral, social skills, educational, comprehensive intensive behavioral, vocational, adaptive/life skills, medical, and allied health); discusses the method used to systematically review the evidence; and summarizes the study findings. It examines the strength of the evidence for effective therapies; examines the applicability of the evidence; and discusses gaps in the evidence and areas for future research.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000, Rockville, MD 20850, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (800) 358-9295 E-mail: http://info.ahrq.gov Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov Available from the website. Document Number: AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC063-EF.

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Keywords: Adolescents, Autism, Interventions, Literature reviews, Reports, Research, Young adults

Annotation: This scientific review summarizes current evidence on the health consequences of cesarean delivery, focusing on the adverse consequences of cesarean delivery as well as adverse outcomes that may be intrinsic to labor or vaginal birth. Included are answers to ten questions related to the physical effects in women and babies that may occur more frequently with cesarian versus vaginal delivery; complications that are unique to cesarean and vaginal deliveries; and risks to women and children that may be associated with method delivery. A detailed list of the review findings, the methods used to locate and present the best evidence, and the implications for the future are also presented.

Contact: Childbirth Connection, 260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, Telephone: (212) 777-5000 Secondary Telephone: (508) 651-2442 Fax: (212) 777-9320 E-mail: info@childbirthconnection.org Web Site: http://www.childbirthconnection.org Available from the website.

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• Executive Summary

Keywords: Cesarian section, Comparative analysis, Outcome evaluation, Research reviews, Vaginal birth

Annotation: This report reviews the evidence related to the effectiveness of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in addressing the health and financial needs of vulnerable Americans, including children, parents with low incomes, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. The report, which summarizes existing research, discusses the populations that are benefitting from these public health programs and the various ways in which Medicaid and CHIP are serving the health needs of vulnerable populations. The report includes statistics on changes in Medicaid enrollment between 2007 and 2010; a comparison of the health status and conditions of children who are Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries versus those with private health insurance coverage; and a comparison of health status and diagnosis for nonelderly adults (ages 18–64) who are Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries versus those with private insurance.

Contact: First Focus, 1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 657-0670 Fax: (202) 657-0671 E-mail: http://www.firstfocus.net/about/contact-us Web Site: http://www.firstfocus.net Available from the website.

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• Summary

Keywords: Children, Children's Health Insurance Program, Evidence, High risk groups, Medicaid, Oral health, Research reviews, Treatment effectiveness evaluation, Vulnerability

Annotation: This catalog presents findings from a systematic review of research studies that describe and analyze programs that target and serve low-income fathers. It explains how the research studies were identified; how the information included in the study profiles was collected; and how the ability of each study's design to determine program effectiveness was rated. Within each of three different study types reviewed (impact, implementation, and descriptive), profiles are arranged alphabetically by program name and divided into eight sections to help users identify information of interest. These sections include study information, study and sample characteristics, reported outcomes, the program model, program structure, staffing and operations, recruitment, and participation. The appendices include a description of the search strategies used to identify published and unpublished research studies; a description of impact studies; and a summary of the rating criteria used.

Contact: U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Seventh Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Web Site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/index.html Available from the website. Document Number: OPRE Report 2011-20.

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Keywords: Evaluation, Evidence, Fathers, Low income groups, Programs, Research reviews, Studies

Annotation: This guide describes research about the possible benefits and negative side effects of therapies for children ages 2 through 12 years old and have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The information comes from a review by an independent research center of 159 studies in a report funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The guide explains what autism spectrum disorders are and summarizes the research being conducted on programs that treat ASD symptoms. The forms of treatment discussed are divided into four categories: Behavior and development programs, education and learning programs, medications, and other treatments and therapies. Included are guidelines to help parents and caregivers choose the best therapy and programs for their child.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000, Rockville, MD 20850, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (800) 358-9295 E-mail: http://info.ahrq.gov Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov Available from the website.

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Keywords: Children with special health care needs, Autism, Child health, Families, Research reviews

Annotation: This report summarizes a systematic review of studies focusing on therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including behavioral, educational, medical, allied health, and complementary and alternative medicine interventions. The report describes the analytical framework and literature review methods and summarizes the evidence of effectiveness for each form of therapy. Specific outcome measures are presented in separate tables. The appendices include sample data abstraction forms; search strings used the results of the searches; lists of peer reviews and excluded studies; and a discussion of recent systematic reviews of therapies for children with ASDs.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000, Rockville, MD 20850, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (800) 358-9295 E-mail: http://info.ahrq.gov Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov Available from the website. Document Number: AHRQ Publication No. 11-EHC029-EF.

• Full Report
• Executive Summary

Keywords: Children with special health care needs, Autism, Literature reviews, Research, Treatment effectiveness evaluation

Annotation: This report provides summary information about the Public Health Nursing Early Intervention Program for Adolescent Mothers, including a review of studies of the program conducted between 1979 and 2009 and the evidence of the effectiveness of this home visiting service delivery model. Contact information for the developer of the model is also provided.

Contact: U.S. Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-9215 Secondary Telephone: (800) 422-4453 Web Site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov Available from the website.

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Keywords: Adolescent mothers, Early intervention programs, Home visiting, Models, Research reviews

Annotation: This report reviews the existing research literature on adolescents in foster care to assess the extent to which adolescents in foster care are at risk of adolescent pregnancy and parenting. The report highlights the various risk factors and identifies the challenges faced in efforts to reduce rates of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing and to prevent negative outcomes among adolescent parents in foster care and their children.

Contact: Child Trends, 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1200W, Bethesda, MD 20814, Telephone: (240) 223-9200 E-mail: Web Site: http://www.childtrends.org Available from the website.

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Keywords: Adolescent mothers, Adolescent pregnancy, Data analysis, Foster children, Research reviews, Risk factors