1960s: CDC/ATSDR Contributions to Women’s Health

Below is a sample of contributions CDC and ATSDR have made in women's health during the 1960s.

1969

Began abortion surveillance to document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legally induced abortions, to monitor unintended pregnancy, and to assist efforts to identify and reduce preventable causes of morbidity and mortality associated with abortions.

1967

Began the first Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program one of the first population-based birth defects surveillance programs in the United States.

Established the Family Planning Evaluation Activity to evaluate family planning programs in state health departments and clinics and to determine the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive methods.

1960

Conducted the first National Health Examination Survey to collect data on the total prevalence of certain chronic diseases as well as the distribution of various physical and physiological measures, including blood pressure and serum cholesterol level among adults.