
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the first time I've visited this website. How do I get started?
- Start with How to Use This Site.
- For information on a maternal and child health (MCH) topic, scan the A to Z Index first. Be aware that this list covers documents and web pages, but not all the books in MCHLine® and materials in other databases. To include all the terms in databases would make the A-Z list thousands of entries long.
- If your topic is not listed and/or if you want a comprehensive look at the MCH Digital Library website, use the Advanced Search page to search the databases and the site.
- See the following questions for more information about the library's web resources.
Why do I have to search the site and the databases separately?
This site contains MCH Digital Library and National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH) publications and web pages that you can read on your screen. This site also contains databases of thousands of records that describe publications, organizations, and other resources. The software that searches the site cannot search databases, and the database software cannot search the site, because they are not designed to work together.
How do I search the MCH Digital Library's collection of databases?
- Learn more about the content of each database.
- Read the database search tips for the databases: MCHLine®, MCH Organizations Database, MCH Projects Database.
What's in the MCH Digital Library?
Read about the MCH Digital Library and its holdings.
Can I contribute my information to the MCH Digital Library?
We are happy to receive your suggestions for topics or reports for inclusion in the MCH Digital Library. However, we cannot guarantee the inclusion of all suggested topics or reports.
To submit materials for the MCH Digital Library, e-mail us.
How do I find out about maternal and child health publications?
Search MCHLine®. To assist you, we have developed a set of bibliographies and search tips.
How do I find out about other MCH-related organizations?
Search our Organizations Database. To assist you, we have developed a set of organizations lists on popular MCH topics and search tips.
How do I find out about other websites that have MCH-related information?
Use MCH Links.
How do I find out about projects funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau?
Search the MCH Projects Database.
How do I find out about maternal and infant health-related materials developed by Healthy Start sites?
See the Healthy Start page
What is Title V?
Title V refers to the MCH Services Block Grant, authorized by Title V of the Social Security Act in 1935. It focuses on improving the health of all mothers and children in the United States; it provides funding to states and other entities for health programs, including direct services, research, training, and other types of programs.
How do I find data from the Title V State Block Grant applications and reports?
Search the Title V Information System.
How do I stay abreast of new MCH research and findings, policy developments, and information about recently released publications, new programs and initiatives affecting the MCH community?
Subscribe to the MCH Alert.
How do I find information about chronic illnesses and disabilities in children?
Our resource guide about children with special health care needs provides a wide variety of information on caring for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities and includes lists of organizations that can supply information on specific chronic conditions.
How do I find clinical medical information?
The MCH Digital Library does not provide medical information about specific diseases, disabilities, or genetic or congenital disorders or their treatment except for limited materials produced with the support of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. To find sources for particular illnesses or conditions, search our MCH Organizations Database.
How do I find consumer health information?
View our collection of family resource briefs, search our MCH Organizations Database; search MCHLine®; and scan MCH Links for a list of links to consumer health-related Web sites.
How do I find data on children's health?
- See publications from the National Survey of Children’s Health and the title Child Health USA here https://mchb.hrsa.gov/data-research-epidemiology/research-epidemiology/national-survey-publications-and-chartbooks.
- Search MCHLine® using the term Statistics or Data plus terms for the topic you are interested in. You'll find many publications with a wide variety of data.
- Search the MCH Organizations Database. You'll find organizations that collect and publish data on many topics.
- Scan the Data section of the MCH Links page for publications, organizations, and other Web sites.
How do I identify listservs of specific health professionals or on specific topics, so I can exchange information on my topic with colleagues?
Search for the term "list serv" or the term "online discussion", plus a topic of your choice, on the library search page.
What are the technical requirements for viewing the Web site?
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I am having problems viewing PDF files. Either I see blank pages, or the PDF file is incomplete. How can I solve this?
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