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Historical Perspectives: Maternal and Child Health Accomplishments
Below are
selected documents related to maternal and child health.
Ten Great
Public Health Achievements - United States, 1900-1999
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm
During the 20th century, the health and life expectancy of persons residing
in the United States improved dramatically. Since 1900, the average lifespan
of persons in the United States has lengthened by greater than 30 years; 25
years of this gain are attributable to advances in public health
Achievements
in Public Health, 1900-1999: Control of Infectious Diseases
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a1.htm
Control of infectious diseases has resulted from clean water and improved
sanitation. Infections such as typhoid and cholera transmitted by
contaminated water, a major cause of illness and death early in the 20th
century, have been reduced dramatically by improved sanitation. In addition,
the discovery of antimicrobial therapy has been critical to successful
public health efforts to control infections such as tuberculosis and
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Achievements
in Public Health, 1900-1999: Family Planning
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4847a1.htm
Access to family planning and contraceptive services has altered social and
economic roles of women. Family planning has provided health benefits such
as smaller family size and longer interval between the birth of children;
increased opportunities for preconceptional counseling and screening; fewer
infant, child, and maternal deaths; and the use of barrier contraceptives to
prevent pregnancy and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and other
STDs.
Achievements
in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4838a2.htm
Healthier mothers and babies have resulted from better hygiene and
nutrition, availability of antibiotics, greater access to health care, and
technologic advances in maternal and neonatal medicine. Since 1900, infant
mortality has decreased 90%, and maternal mortality has decreased 99%.
Achievements
in Public Health, 1900-1999: Safer and Healthier Foods
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4840a1.htm
Since 1900, safer and healthier foods have resulted from decreases in
microbial contamination and increases in nutritional content. Identifying
essential micronutrients and establishing food-fortification programs have
almost eliminated major nutritional deficiency diseases such as rickets,
goiter, and pellagra in the United States.
A Timeline of
CDC/ATSDR Contributions to Women’s Health
http://www.cdc.gov/od/spotlight/nwhw/contrib.htm
The CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry have
developed research, implemented disease prevention programs, and developed
health strategies that help women live healthier lives in society today.
A Century of Women’s
Health: 1900-2000
http://www.womenshealth.gov/TimeCapsule/century/ (Non-CDC site)
In the 20th century, we witnessed the most dramatic improvements in women’s
health in human history. At every level, the quality of women’s health care
was enhanced and strengthened through advances in research, behavioral
patterns, diet, pre- and post-natal care, new drug and surgical treatments,
immunizations, and the general commitment of millions of Americans to lead
healthier lives.
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This page
last reviewed
April 15, 2005
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/women/owh/worldhd/historic.htm
US
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Women's Health
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