The current report presents an example of the path
taken from identification of a public health problem
at the primary health service level, to conducting
research documenting the scope of the problem and
nature of the risk factors, disseminating the findings,
and fostering development and application of relevant
policy. The example presented is the case of postpartum
depression, an issue with bio-psycho-social implications.
Public health nurses identified the problem, prompting
epidemiological research. The findings encouraged the
Ministry of Health (MOH) to conduct a pilot program for
screening and early intervention among pregnant and
postpartum women reporting depressive symptoms.
Based on the results of the pilot program, the MOH
is expanding the program to all Mother-Child Health
(MCH) clinics. Israel᾿s largest Health Maintenance
Organization has followed suit and is including this
program in its own clinics. This Israeli experience may
serve as an instructive example of a locally identified
problem evolving into a national policy.