AHRQ Child and Adolescent Health Update

AHRQ Child and Adolescent Health Update
Volume 11, Number 04 – March 31, 2009

Today's Headlines:
AHRQ Seeks Public Comment on Comparative Effectiveness Program—At Meeting April on 3 or by email
Extension of the AHRQ Grant Program for Large Conference Support (R13/U13) Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-06-378)
Two-day hands-on MEPS Data User Workshop
One-Day HCUP Workshop on May 6 -- Registration is Now Open
Child and Adolescent Health Updates


1. AHRQ Seeks Public Comment on Comparative Effectiveness Program - - At Meeting on April 3 or by email

The National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality is seeking public comment at a public meeting on Friday, April 3, on the comparative effectiveness program funded by AHRQ. At the meeting, the Council, which advises the AHRQ Director and the Secretary of HHS on priorities for a national health services research agenda, will discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and its investment in the AHRQ comparative effectiveness research program. The Recovery Act provides $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research: $300 million for AHRQ; $400 million for NIH and $400 million for HHS’ Office of the Secretary.

For the agenda, go to http://www.ahrq.gov/about/agen040309.htm. The Council will meet at the AHRQ Conference Center, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, beginning at 9:00 a.m., EDT.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to submit comments on the comparative effectiveness programs funded at AHRQ, please email them to EffectiveHealthCare@ahrq.hhs.gov.


2. Extension of the AHRQ Grant Program for Large Conference Support (R13/U13) Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-06-378)

This Notice extends the expiration date of the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) AHRQ Grant Program for Large Conference Support (R13) and (U13), by one year. Go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-09-006.html for complete FOA.


3. Two-day hands-on MEPS Data User Workshop

Registration is now open for the upcoming Two-day hands-on MEPS Data User Workshop in Rockville, MD, on May 6-7, 2009. For registration and more information, go to Workshops & Events at: http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/about_meps/workshops_events.jsp


4. One-Day HCUP Workshop on May 6 -- Registration is Now Open

Registration has just opened for a new workshop for health services researchers on the use of databases and software tools from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization project (HCUP). The training will take place on Wednesday, May 6 from 9 am - 4:30 pm at AHRQ headquarters in Rockville, MD. Participants will work with actual data from HCUP's national and state databases. HCUP databases comprise the largest collection of publicly available, multi-year hospital care (inpatient, emergency department, and ambulatory surgery) data in the United States, with all-payer, encounter level information beginning in 1988. Instruction will also be given on the use of HCUP software tools to facilitate the use of administrative data. HCUP databases and tools enable research on a broad range of health research and policy issues at the national, state and local market levels, including cost and quality of health services, medical practice patterns, access to health care and outcomes of treatment.

The workshop is oriented toward intermediate-level data users. Computers will be provided and programming examples will be presented in SAS. Familiarity with SAS is not required – all SAS programs will be provided. Researchers can learn about HCUP prior to the course by taking the HCUP online overview course.

A workshop description, registration form and logistical information are available on the HCUP User Support Website under What's New or on the HCUP Calendar - Events for May 6. There is no charge for the workshop. Please register early as space is limited. If you have questions, please email hcup@ahrq.gov

5. Child and Adolescent Health Updates
· AHRQ Child Health Quality Toolbox: Measuring Quality in Children's Health Programs http://www.ahrq.gov/chtoolbx/

o UPDATE to the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI): Promoting Healthy Development Survey (PHDS) http://www.ahrq.gov/chtoolbx/measure6.htm#availability

· Research on Child and Adolescent Health: New Starts Fiscal Year 2008 http://www.ahrq.gov/research/childr08.htm

· Child Health Extramural Research by State and Country - http://www.ahrq.gov/child/usamap.htm - UPDATED TO REFLECT FY2008 NEW STARTS
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) · 540 Gaither Road · Rockville MD 20850 · 301-427-1364