Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Report on CDC’s Winnable Battles: Collecting Data in Order to Improve the Health of Mothers and Infants

PRAMS Report on CDC’s Winnable Battles cover art [PDF- 867KB].

Introduction [PDF-462KB]
In order to keep pace with emerging public health challenges and to have an impact on the leading causes of death and disability, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) embarked on an initiative to achieve measurable impact in a short time for 10 topics that are described as Winnable Battle areas.

Maternal Demographics [PDF-455KB]
Information about maternal demographic characteristics (maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, Medicaid enrollment, and insurance type before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and at delivery) was obtained from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.

HIV in the U.S. [PDF-497KB]
The CDC has identified HIV prevention as a Winnable Battle. HIV infection can be passed on from the mother to her fetus during pregnancy or to her infant during delivery or breastfeeding.

Motor Vehicle Injuries [PDF-687KB]
The CDC has identified prevention of motor vehicle injuries as a Winnable Battle. In 2009 in the United States, motor vehicle-related injuries was the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age (15-44 years of age). Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death and injury for pregnant women.

Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity [PDF-767KB]
Focusing on modifiable risk factors such as eating habits and physical activity to achieve a healthy weight prior to conception could increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Breastfeeding (part of the Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Winnable Battle) [PDF-498KB]
Breastfeeding is associated with numerous health benefits for infants and mothers. Although U.S. breastfeeding rates are increasing, rates remain relatively low among some groups of women, particularly those who are young, black, at or below the federal poverty level, and have less than a college education.

Teen Pregnancy [PDF-914KB]
The U.S. teen birth rate fell 9 percent from 2009 to 2010, reaching a historic low at 34.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19. However, the birth rate among U.S. teens remains among the highest in the developed world.

Tobacco [PDF-1.1MB ]
Besides other known health risks, smoking before pregnancy is associated with reduced fertility and conception delays. During pregnancy, smoking has detrimental health effects on the mother and the fetus, as well as on the infant post-delivery.

PRAMS Working Group[PDF-53KB]