MIHA is a stratified random sample of English- or Spanish-speaking women with a recent live birth. MIHA data are weighted to represent all women with a live birth in California, excluding women who were non-residents, were younger than 15 years old at delivery, had a multiple birth greater than triplets, or had a missing address on the birth certificate. MIHA data are collected by mail with telephone follow-up to determine maternal and infant experiences before, during and shortly after pregnancy. The MIHA questionnaire and methods are similar to those used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conducting the multi-state Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Starting in 2013, county-level estimates are available for the 35 counties with the greatest number of births. Due to their smaller birth populations and sample sizes, county-level estimates are not provided for the remaining 23 coun[1]ties. Regional MIHA Data include births from all counties within a given geographical area.

MIHA data are used to assess MCAH community needs, set priorities, track progress and make program and policy decisions including targeting limited resources. MIHA identifies critical emerging health issues facing women and children. Related publications and Data Snapshots can be found on the MIHA website (see “Resources" at left).[SL1]

Highlights of MIHA Data to Action

• MIHA provides data to meet Title V MCH Block Grant reporting requirements and set priorities to guide State and Local MCAH programs throughout California.
• MIHA staff collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop Healthy People 2020 (HP 2020) Objectives, which allow states to compare the well-being of their maternal and infant population to national benchmarks. The CDC continues to use data results from the MIHA survey for HP 2020 reporting.
• MIHA data are used by state and local WIC program directors to inform grant writing activities and customize outreach strategies to address specific barriers to participation in WIC during pregnancy.

• Health status
• Nutrition and weight
• Perinatal depression
• Health insurance coverage
• Service utilization and content
• Breastfeeding
• Infant sleep
• Pregnancy intention
• Family planning
• Intimate partner violence
• Substance use
• Hardships
• Maternal demographics