FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) |
|
Click here to get a PDF file of this FAQ page. |
|
| What is the vision of the Center of Excellence (COE)? | |
To reduce disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes by improving women's preconceptional (prior to conception) and interconceptional health status and health care in Central Pennsylvania 's high risk, medically underserved populations, with a special focus on the region's rural communities. |
|
What is the mission of the COE? |
|
To conduct multidisciplinary research on the risks of preterm birth and low birthweight in diverse populations in the region; provide a multiorganizational structure for implementing and testing an innovative population-based intervention in partnership with the community; provide education to students and new investigators through coursework and mentored research related to women's health and pregnancy outcomes; and increase the capacity for research on women's health and pregnancy outcomes at all partnering institutions. |
|
Who are the COE partners? |
|
The COE is a collaborative four-year project partnering four Central Pennsylvania organizations: The Pennsylvania State University, Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania, Franklin and Marshall College , and Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. |
|
| What is the CePAWHS ( C-paws ) project? |  |
CePAWHS ( Ce ntral PA W omen's H ealth S tudy) is a two-phase research project designed to reduce incidence of preterm birth and LBW babies by improving the health of high-risk women before they become pregnant and between pregnancies. CePAWHS is the main research project of the Central PA COE. |
|
What is the first phase of CePAWHS? |
|
| CePAWHS-1 is the first comprehensive survey ever conducted on the health of Central Pennsylvania women. It was completed in 2004-05. The survey interviewed 2,290 women ages 18-45 who reside in the 28-county study region of Central PA, including 288 Amish women in Lancaster County, and 248 16-17-year-olds seeking services at Family Health Council of Central PA family planning health clinics. | |
What is the second phase of CePAWHS? |
|
CePAWHS-2 is a randomized trial of a program designed to help women who may have a future pregnancy to improve their health status and health habits. Using the findings about key risk factors for preterm birth and low birthweight from CePAWHS-1, the researchers have designed a multi-session group program to: ~ provide a free health screening ~ enhance behavior change skills related to key risks ~improve women's health literacy ~ provide information about accessing health and social services The program will be tested in a randomized trial in multiple communities in Central Pennsylvania during 2005-08. |
|
Who will be targeted for recruitment to the CePAWHS-2 study? |
|
Women who reside in low-income rural communities in the 28-county study region of Central PA will be recruited to the CePAWHS-2 program trial. |
|
How is the Central PA COE's CePAWHS project funded? |
|
CePAWHS is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health with non-formula tobacco settlement funds. |
|
For more information, please visit our website: http://www.womenshealthcoe.psu.edu |
|
