Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening activities of state health agencies: a survey.
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening has been demonstrated to be cost-effective on a population basis and is becoming standard practice. The American Society of Human Genetics has twice published policy statements to define the essential elements of a quality screening program. The present study reviewed the impact of these policy statements on state public-health agencies with respect to regulation or provision of MSAFP screening in their jurisdictions. With a few exceptions, states have not elected to play a major role in provision or regulation of this test. There is need to address issues of funding, standards, and data collection in a collaborative effort, if policy statements on genetic services are to be translated into effective state population screening.
Genetic Disease Branch, California Department of Health Services, Berkeley 94704.
G C
GC
Cunningham
K W
KW
Kizer
D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014481:United States; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins