Data are from certificates and reports filed with the Center for Health Statistics (CHS) in the Alabama Department of Public Health according to Alabama Vital Statistics Laws. The State Registrar of Vital Records enforces the laws and administers the system of vital statistics. Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates and fetal death and induced termination of pregnancy reports provide most of the information reported or tabulated. The statewide data for Alabama are also sent to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for inclusion in national reports and tabulations.
Since 1993, reports of induced termination of pregnancy have been required for all events occurring in Alabama. If the induced termination of pregnancy occurs in an institution, the person in charge of the institution is required to file the report. If the induced termination of pregnancy occurs outside of an institution, the physician in attendance is required to file the report. From September 1987 to December 1992, the only reporting requirement for induced terminations of pregnancy was for events to women under 18 years of age as part of the Parental Consent Act. The degree of completeness for these reports is not known. However, if the CHS learns of institutions that are not aware of the reporting requirements, they are contacted and reporting is immediately initiated.
Sources and Completeness of: