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