Major Milestones

1960s

1967 First domestic household-based family planning survey of reproductive aged women (Atlanta, GA.)

1968 Computerized patient records system for family planning evaluation is developed.

1969 First abortion surveillance report is published.

1970s

1974 Intrauterine device morbidity and mortality study First international forecasting and logistics assistance.

1975 First international contraceptive prevalence survey.

1978 The Collaborative Review of Sterilization (CREST) begins; DRH investigates the safety and efficacy of sterilization procedures in the United States.

1980s

1981 Global survey of sterilization deaths.

1981  The Family Planning Evaluation Division was renamed the Division of Reproductive Health.

1982 DRH investigates the relationship between cancer and the use of oral contraceptives.

1982 World Health Organization (WHO) designates DRH as a Collaborating Center in Perinatal Mortality and in Family Planning.

1983 Family Planning Methods and Practice: Africa is published.

1984 Surveillance of infant mortality.

1986 The Cancer and Steroid Hormones Study concludes that the birth control pill does not cause cancer and actually decreases the risk for certain kinds of cancer.

1986 Surveillance of maternal mortality is initiated.

1986 Initiated a national strategy to examine and prevent prematurity in the United States.

1986 Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH EPI) is established.

1987 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is developed.

1988 Initiated on-going assistance to American Indians/Alaska Natives with first BRFSS/MCH surveys of American Indian populations.

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1990s

1990 Infant health initiative preterm delivery research program is established.

1991 Project CARES (Comprehensive AIDS and Reproductive Health Education Study) is implemented.

1992 Fertility Clinic Success Rates and Certification Act of 1992 passe.

1992 SIDS case control studies launched.

1994 Monograph—From Data to Action: CDC’s Public Health Surveillance for Women, Infants and Children is published.

1995 Teenage Pregnancy Prevention initiative.

1995 First United States-based reproductive health survey of immigrant population is conducted.

1996 Surveillance of teen pregnancy is initiated.

1996 Guidelines for Death Scene Investigation of Sudden, Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUID) is published.

1997 CDC releases the first annual report of pregnancy success rates for fertility clinics in the United States.

1998 Reproductive Health for Refugees initiative.

1999 Launch of the CDC's DRH Web site.

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2000s

2000 Children's Health Act of 2000–which established Safe Motherhood.

2001 First National Summit on Safe Motherhood is held.

2002 The Women’s CARE study concludes that oral contraceptive use is not associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer.

2003 Online Interactive Atlas of Reproductive Health is launched.

2003 DRH begins working in Afghanistan to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

2003 Initiated a national strategy to examine and prevent prematurity in the United States.

2004 American Indian and Alaska Native forum is convened to address maternal, infant, and child health research issues.

2004 Organization of the Sudden Infant Death Scene Investigation Initiative.

2005 “Promoting Science-Based Approaches to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV and STDs” 5 year program initiative is launched.

2005 Partnership on the first international effort to eliminate obstetric fistula.

2006 PRAMS expands representing 75% of all U.S. births.

2006 Official release of the new Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Reporting Form, and development of a comprehensive training curriculum and materials for use in infant death scene investigations.

2007 Expert panel consultation: Youth development as a strategy to promote adolescent reproductive health.

2008 A CDC-wide working group is convened to examine the issue of infertility in the United States.

2008 Special journal issue for US-Mexico Border demonstration project published.

2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Maternal Health Team was formed.

2009 CDC, as an outreach partner, participates in development of content for text4baby.

2009 11 MCH epidemiologists and 10 MCH fellows sponsored by the MCHEP have been assigned to 19 public health agencies.

2010 PRAMS expands to now include thirty–seven states, New York City, and South Dakota (Yankton Sioux Tribe).

2010 DRH, in collaboration with the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) and university partners, publishes a special supplement on importance of Positive Youth Development (PYD) for adolescent reproductive health outcomes.

2010 National Action Plan on Infertility Detection, Treatment, and Prevention is released.

2010 First U.S. Guidelines on  Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use are published.

2010 Global Health Initiative leads to expansion of global activities related to global maternal mortality reduction.

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