Population policy in the United States.

PIP: The importance of population in the richer nations is seen in terms of increasing demand for fuels and the resultant pollution of air and water. All governments have a population policy, even if it negative and even if it is impied. U.S. federal funding for family planning, lack of funding for abortion, and immigration laws make up part of the U.S. population policy, an inconsistent policy. The 1970-72 Commission of Population Growth and the American Future called for stabilized growth, i.e. zero population growth. This is also the position of the Sierra Club and other organizations. So far, American presidents have not stated their position on the issue. In order to formulate a national population policy, the values must be recognized which a policy would affect. All national agovernments should provide widespread population education activities, provide easily available and safe family planning services, and incorporate demographic data into their planning. Population policy must be comprehensive and longterm. In the case of the U.S., it msut carry over from 1 administration to the next. The U.S. government has lagged behind in formulation of population policy. Private sector groups, e.g., the Sierra Club, must now take the lead.^ieng

Family planning associations and development of population policy and programs.

PIP: The way in which family planning associations have affected policy and the development of government programs and the way government family planning programs have affected private family planning associations is examined. The typical evolution of voluntary family planning association in countries throughout the world is: 1) an initial interest in the unhealthy effects of excess childbearing by physicians and prominent women; 2) development of a local family planning association; 3) provision of family planning services to women of average means; 4) f avorable public response; 5) support and funding provided by internation al organizations; and 6) government entrance onto the family planning scene. Generally, voluntary family planning groups encourage a trend whose time has already come through various changes in the national way of life. Family planning associations flourish with government involvement because there is need for the expertise developed by the voluntary associations. Private organizations are especially active in training, education, youth work, research, and innovation. Voluntary groups can monitor the quality of government family planning programs.^ieng

Assessment of family planning programme effects on births: Preliminary results obtained through direct matching of birth and programme acceptor records.

Abstract In order to match birth and family planning acceptance records and thereby to obtain estimates of pre- and post-acceptance fertility, use is made of seven-digit national identity card numbers, issued to all adult West Malaysians. These unique numbers are recorded on live-birth records and national family planning programme acceptor records of West Malaysian women. The application and preliminary results of this method of direct computer matching of these sets of records for assessing the effects of a family planning programme on fertility are described. Pre- and post-acceptance fertility rates are presented in terms of contraceptive methods used, and the key characteristics of race and age of programme acceptors, and are discussed in terms of marital duration and number of children at the time of acceptance.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn. Review of deaths in California.

In order to find ways to decrease mortality from hemolytic disease of the newborn, a study was undertaken by physicians of the California Medical Association in cooperation with the California State Department of Public Health. Neonatal deaths during a two and a half year period were investigated and analyzed by review committees with the view of evaluating presumed deficiencies in management. The findings indicate that proper prenatal prediction and preparation by the physician for the management of HDN calls for earlier and more comprehensive use of warning signals, as well as a constant reappraisal of current technology. New advances in the management of HDN require increasingly close cooperation between patients, their physicians and consultants.