Major Milestones

1960s

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

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.

1974– First international forecasting and logistics assistance.

1975– First international contraceptive prevalence survey.

1978– The Collaborative Review of Sterilization (CREST) begins; the Division of Reproductive Health (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 ongoing 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 passed.

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 teenage 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.

 

2010s

2010– PRAMS expands to now include 37 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) [PDF - 291] for adolescent reproductive health outcomes.

2010– A National Public Health Action Plan for the Detection, Prevention, and Management of Infertility is released.

2010– First United States 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.

2011– DRH and USAID completed a 37-year agreement to provide technical and scientific assistance for global reproductive health.

2011– PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) expands to 41 sites representing 78% of all U.S. live births.

2011– CDC’s Vital Signs released first featured report on preventing teen pregnancy.

2012– DRH completed an 8-year project to improve maternal and infant health services and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity at Rabia Balkhi Women’s Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

2012– Seven states successfully conclude the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Case Registry pilot program. The project will continue.

2013– Established the Field Services Branch; provided new home for global work in reproductive health and the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program.

2013– Launched PRAMSIntegrated Data System (PIDS), a centralized Web-based data collection system that provides for real-time data collection monitoring.

2013– Published the United States Guidelines on  Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use.

2014– CDC and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs jointly release Providing Quality Family Planning Services (QFP) recommendations.

2015– Completed a 5-year cooperative agreement, Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Integrating Services, Programs, and Strategies through Community-Wide Initiatives. Preliminary data from the community-wide initiatives suggest the importance of this approach for reducing teen births.

2015- The Vital Signs report on teen pregnancy examined trends in use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) among females aged 15–19 years seeking contraceptive services. Source: MMWR April 10, 2015 / No. 13 Vital Signs: Trends in Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Teens Aged 15–19 Years Seeking Contraceptive Services — United States, 2005–2013

2015- DRH published the first national report of gestational weight gain surveillance in pregnant women noting the percent meeting gestational weight gain recommendations.

2016– Published MMWR on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in 28 States, 1999–2013.

2016– DRH develops and offers the Emergency Preparedness and Response: Online Training Course.

2016– DRH responds to Zika.

2016– Published MMWR update on United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016 (US MEC).

2016– Published MMWR update on United States Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2016 (US SP).

2016– Published MMWR on Reduced Disparities in Birth Rates among Teens Aged 15–19 Years in the United States.

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