Maternal and Child Health Epidemic-Assistance Investigations, 1946–2005

• Published in: American journal of epidemiology Vol. 174; no. suppl_11; pp. S80 - S88
• Main Authors: Rochat, Roger W., Heath, Clark W., Chu, Susan Y., Marchbanks, Polly A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.12.2011; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Abortion; Abortion, Induced; Adolescent; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) - history; Child; Child Welfare - history; Epidemics; Epidemiology - history; Female; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Infant; Infant mortality; Infant Mortality - history; Maternal & child health; Maternal Mortality - history; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Public Health; Reproductive health; Reproductive Health - history; Teenage pregnancy; United States - epidemiology; United States; maternal health services; Reye syndrome; abortion, induced; pregnancy in adolescence; congenital abnormalities; reproductive medicine; infant mortality; family planning services
• ISSN: 0002-9262; 1476-6256
• DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwr304

Abstract In this article, the authors focus on epidemic-assistance investigations that dealt with maternal and child health problems, including unintended and adolescent pregnancy and family planning; international reproductive health surveys among refugees; pregnancy outcomes, including abortion, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and birth defects; leukemia; and Reye syndrome. During 1946–2005, a total of 1,969 investigations had sufficient data to classify them as possibly related to maternal and child health and were characterized by distinctive periods. Those related to family planning, pregnancy intention, and reproductive health among refugees began in the early 1970s and continued through 2005. Abortion-related investigations occurred during 1971–1982. Investigations of non-abortion-related maternal morbidity and mortality began in 1979 and included 2 international epidemic-assistance investigations. Investigations of clusters of disease among infants began in the 1960s, with a special focus on Reye syndrome during 1964–1984. Investigations of childhood cancer and birth defects began in the late 1950s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has used the epidemic-assistance investigations mechanism to respond to a wide range of health concerns of women and children. The investigations of abortion-related health problems might have had the best-documented impact on public policy and public health.