DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF STATEWIDE ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME (AIDS) INFORMATION-SYSTEMS IN HEALTH-SERVICES PLANNING AND EVALUATION

As the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) epidemic has grown in the United States during the 1980s, state and local governments have assumed a major role in the planning, funding, provision, and evaluation of AIDS health services. Automated information systems of varying designs and sophistication are being developed across the country to assist state and local policy makers and program administrators in these activities. This paper describes characteristics of a model AIDS health services information system, factors impeding its development, and the efforts of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to overcome these impediments. Application of the Maryland information system for a variety of program planning and evaluation activities are also described. Since the Maryland AIDS health services information system draws upon secondary data bases available in other states, this system may serve as a prototype for state and local agencies. © 1990.