State-Based Tracking Systems
Minnesota

Program: Minnesota Birth Defects Information System (BDIS)
Organization: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Project Period: February 2010–January 2015
Project Director: Erik Zabel, PhD
Website: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/birthdefects/index.html

Created in 2005, the Minnesota Birth Defects Information System (BDIS) is a population-based active case finding system that tracks babies born with a birth defect up to one year after delivery. The program currently monitors about half of all births in Minnesota (statewide births are approximately 73,000 per year) and plans to expand statewide. BDIS uses the data to improve its tracking system, design prevention programs, and guide referral to services activities.

 

Grantee Goals and Activities

Surveillance

• Focus on expanding birth defects tracking statewide.
• Maintain an advisory group to provide guidance to BDIS on policies and procedures.
• Develop data sharing agreements with surrounding state birth defects programs.
• Disseminate data through an annual report, which is distributed to other state agencies and available online.

Prevention

• Promote prevention of neural tube defects to the general public and health providers through the web and other channels.
• Coordinate with other state and local agencies that provide education and support services to deliver consistent messages on prevention.
• Evaluate outreach efforts and prevention activities using state health surveys.

Referrals

• Ensure appropriate services are provided to babies and families affected by birth defects.
• Evaluate referral patterns and processes to improve access to services.
• Generate follow-up monitoring results to improve care for families and children.