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Health eMoms survey data

Available data

These estimates are from the first three Health eMoms birth cohorts (2018, 2019, and 2020 births). Weighted results are available from the first (Survey 1.1), second (Survey 1.2), third (Survey 2.1), fourth (Survey 2.2), fifth (Survey 3.1), and sixth (Survey 3.2) surveys of the Health eMoms program for the 2018 birth cohort, the three surveys for the 2019 birth cohort, and the first survey for the 2020 birth cohort. Mothers complete Survey 1.1 between three and six months postpartum, Survey 1.2 between 12 and 14 months postpartum, Survey 2.1 between 18 and 20 months postpartum, Survey 2.2 between 24 to 26 months postpartum, Survey 3.1 between 30-32 months postpartum and Survey 3.2 between 36-38 months postpartum.  The surveys include questions about:

  • Breastfeeding.
  • Vaccinations.
  • Maternal mental health.
  • Social and community connection.
  • Maternal leave.
  • Employment and family-friendly practices in the workplace.
  • Child care.
  • Finance and resource insecurities.
  • Health care access and interactions.
  • Marijuana and other substance use.
  • Oral health.
  • And more! 

Results are also available from the Health eMoms COVID-19 survey, which was distributed to all currently enrolled Health eMoms cohorts (2018-2020) between January 20th and February 3rd, 2021.

Results

Data briefs and publications

What was Health eMoms and how do these data fit into the bigger picture?

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Health eMoms program was an online, longitudinal data collection system that drew a monthly sample of postpartum people from live birth certificates and recruited these people by mail to join an online survey platform. Enrolled people received a total of six online surveys by email and text message from shortly after they give birth up until their child’s third birthday. The data we collected helped us understand the needs and experiences of postpartum people and their families in order to develop and improve programs and policies that address these needs.

These data come from the six Health eMoms surveys. These estimates are cross-sectional (collected at one point in time), but they can also serve as a basis for looking at individual-level trends in the topics bulleted above. If you have questions about how participants’ experiences change over time, please see the “How do I request additional aggregate data from Health eMoms?” section below for information on how to submit a data request.

How is Health eMoms different from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and Baby & You?

Health eMoms and PRAMS are both maternal and child health data collection systems operated by CDPHE that use birth certificate records as the sampling frame for their monthly selection of mothers that they invite to participate in the system. Health eMoms and PRAMS work together to make sure that their samples are mutually exclusive. Both systems contact mothers by mail to complete surveys around three-four months postpartum but PRAMS is an extensive mail and telephone survey whereas Health eMoms is a series of brief web surveys. PRAMS collects data at only one point in time, but Health eMoms enrolls mothers in an ongoing survey program that continues up to their child’s third birthday.
 
Health eMoms asked some of the same questions as PRAMS on Survey 1.1, but the estimates that result may be slightly different due to differences in survey mode and weighting methodologies. Certain question types that are used in PRAMS, such as matrix questions, are not suitable for web surveys and are modified to work for Health eMoms. Web surveys also tend to be less subject to social desirability bias, which can result in higher estimates for behaviors perceived as negative. Difference in weighting methodologies may also result in small differences in point estimates. When comparing estimates across surveys, make sure to also compare confidence intervals to help assess whether there is a true difference.

The Baby & You program grew from the seeds planted by the Health eMoms program. Baby & You is also an online, longitudinal survey program for postpartum people. Baby & You is different from Health eMoms in its sample design. Whereas Health eMoms randomly sampled postpartum people across the state, Baby & You uses a stratified random sample in order to oversample and collect more representative data within the American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African American, and Hispanic birthing populations.

How are the data weighted? 

Health eMoms data were weighted by iterative proportional fitting, or raking, which balances the sample on key demographic variables to ensure that it is representative of the target population—all eligible births in Colorado. The 2018, 2019 and 2020 Birth Cohorts Survey 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 data were weighted on:

  • Geography.
  • Age. (Included starting with Survey 2.1)
  • Education.
  • Race. (Included starting with Survey 1.2)
  • Ethnicity.
  • Marital status.
  • Parity.
  • Medicaid status.

What is a confidence interval?

The confidence interval is the range of values that is likely to contain the true population parameter. When making statistical inferences about a population based on information collected from a probability sample, random error can affect estimates obtained from the sample. The confidence interval reflects the uncertainty around the estimate that results from random error.

How do I request additional aggregate data from Health eMoms?

Health eMoms estimates or de-identified data sets can be requested directly from the Health eMoms Program Coordinator.

Contact

Sarah Blackwell
Email: Sarah.Blackwell@state.co.us
Phone: 303-692-2257