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About Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology

The MCH Epidemiology Section of the Michigan Department of Community Health was established as a separate section within the Bureau of Epidemiology in 2006. Responsibilities include epidemiological studies and surveillance of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. Epidemiological analyses are conducted using established data sources, including vital records, registry data, hospitalization data, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), Children's Special Health Care Services program, hospital discharge data, Medicaid, and Special Supplamental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, etc. Specific disease surveillance activities include the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance system designed to identify all deaths that occur in pregnant women or in women who gave birth within the last 12 months.

 

Some of the core activities conducted by MCH epidemiologist include: conduct needs assessment analyses; design and conduct data analyses to evaluate the impact of public health interventions; analyze program data to identify data-related trends, populations at risk, and risk factors related to maternal and child health; disseminate data analyses findings to inform program development efforts across MI; conduct maternal and child health-related research and represent Michigan at the national conferences/meetings to thus ensure that MI epidemiologists contribute to the advancement of the field of MCH research and practice.

 

Locally and nationally, MCH Epidemiology continues to evolve, but it has old roots in the field of public health. Below is a timeline highlighting select milestones in the field of maternal and child health.

 

Year   

Event

1906 

First bill to create the Children's Bureau was proposed.  3

1912 

The Children's Bureau was created. 1

1915 

The Children's Bureau led a drive to establish birth registration in 10 states and Washington D.C. 3

1921 

Sheppard-Towner Act enacted. 1

1929 

Sheppard-Towner Act overturned. 1

1930 

Group splits from American Medical Association and forms the American Academy of Pediatrics.  3

1933 

Birth registration drive expanded to include all states. 3

1935 

Social Security Act Title V enacted. 3

1935 

Cripple Children's Services created. 1

1965 

Social Security Act Title XIX (Medicaid) enacted.  3

1965 

Head Start Program started. 1

1969 

The Children Bureau is split. 1

1972 

Special Supplemental Food Program for Women Infants and Children started.  3

1976 

Supplemental Security Income Program for children with Disabilities enacted. 1

1979 

Pregnancy-related Mortality Surveillance System established. 1

1981 

Title V MCH Services Block Grant to states created. 1

1984 

Emergency Medical Services for Children enacted. 1

1984 

Surveillance of infant mortality. 4

1986 

Surveillance of maternal mortality is initiated. 4

1987 

CDC/HRSA officially launches the MCH Epidemiology Program. 4

1987 

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) begins. 4

1988

IOM releases "the Future of Public Health.'  3

1989

OBRA'89 expands coverage of prenatal care for low-income women. 1

1989

Accountability increased for Title V agencies. 2

1991

Healthy Start Program started. 1

1992

HRSA-sponsored Graduate Student Internship Program (GSIP) begins (places students at state local health agencies). 2

1992

The Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act (FCSRCA) enacted. 4

1994

Early Head Start Program started. 1

1995

1st MCH Epidemiology Conference.  3

1995

SSA becomes an independent agency.  3

1996

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program created. 1

1996

CDC/HRSA MCH Epidemiology Program evaluation-> developed a definition of MCH Epidemiology. 2

1996

Guidelines for Death Scene Investigation of Sudden, Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUID) is published. 4

1997

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) created. 1

1997

CDC releases the first annual report of pregnancy success rates for fertility clinics in the United States. 4

1999

National Action Alliance.  3

2000

Children's Health Act (amended the Public Health Service Act with respect to children´s health). 4

2001

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid replace HCFA  3

2003

Initiated a national strategy to examine and prevent prematurity in the United States. 4

2004

American Indian and Alaska Native forum is convened to address maternal, infant, and child health research issues. 4

2006

PRAMS expand to 38 states and New York City representing 75% of all U.S. births. 4

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  1. "Maternal and Child Health." Encyclopedia of Public Health. Ed. Lester Breslow. Thomson Gale, 2002. eNotes.com. 2006. 01 Dec, 2006 http://health.enotes.com/public-health-encyclopedia/maternal-child-health
  2. Arden Handler, "What is MCH Epi?" 9th Annual Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Conference. Tempe, Arizona. Dec 10-12, 2003.
  3. Vince L. Hutchins. "Maternal and Child Health Bureau: Roots." Pediatrics 94.5 (1994): 695-699.
  4. "Division of Reproductive Health: Timeline"  Division of Reproductive Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 10 Oct, 2006. CDC.gov 01 Dec, 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/DRH/Timeline.htm

 
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