Prematurity – Low Birthweight - bphc.org.doc

THE HEALTH OF BOSTON 2006 Thomas M. Menino Mayor City of Boston prepared by The Boston Public Health Commission David Mulligan, Chair John Auerbach, Executive Director March 2006  Copyright Information All material contained in this report is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission; however, citation as to the source is appropriate. Suggested Citation The Health of Boston 2006 Boston Public Health Commission Research Office Boston, Massachusetts 2006 PREFACE In 1995, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed legislation establishing the Boston Public Health Commission and requiring it to submit annual reports on various matters related to public health in the city of Boston: Sect. 8. (b) ... the commission shall prepare and file with the mayor, the president of the city council and the city clerk an annual assessment of the public health needs of the city. The annual public health assessment shall include an evaluation of existing local, state and federal programs and services to address the public health needs of the city and the adequacy of funding sources available for such programs and services, an assessment of programs, services and other activities provided by private public health providers to address the public health needs of the city, including identification of all vulnerable populations in the city, the performance of providers under contract with the commission in accordance with this act, and proposals by the commission to enlarge or enhance its response to the public health needs of the city including new, expanded or revised programs or services to be provided by the commission or by public health providers under contract with it for the ensuing fiscal year. The Health of Boston 2006 report is the tenth in a series of annual reports in response to this legislation.  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS [NEEDS UPDATING] This report was prepared by Mary Ostrem, DrPH, by Phyllis D. Sims, MS, Leslie Chen, BS, Denise Dod