PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System)

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint surveillance project of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Reproductive Health (CDC, DRH) and state health departments. Developed in 1987, PRAMS collects state-specific, population-based data on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. Its purpose is to reduce infant morbidity and mortality by influencing programs and policies aimed at reducing health problems among mothers and infants. PRAMS is an ongoing surveillance system designed to identify groups of women and infants at high risk for health problems, to monitor changes in health status, and to measure progress towards goals in improving the health of mothers and infants.