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You are Here: Home Page > Statistics & Data > Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)  

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)

What is New York State PRAMS?

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is an ongoing telephone and mail survey of mothers who have recently had a baby. PRAMS collects information from mothers about behaviors and experiences before, during and after pregnancy to learn more about how to reduce infant deaths and the number of babies who are born weighing too little. Mothers are asked about insurance coverage, whether they intended to become pregnant, if they had prenatal care and other topics that may affect her pregnancy.

The Purpose of PRAMS

PRAMS was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1987 as part of their initiative to reduce infant deaths and low-birth-weight babies. New York joined the program in 1993. Thirty states participate in PRAMS and ask a core set of questions of all mothers so data can be compared. Each state may ask additional questions specific to their needs, as well.

PRAMS was designed to supplement Vital Records data by providing state-specific data on maternal behaviors and experiences not available from other sources. Because PRAMS uses standardized data collection methodology, data collected can be compared across states.

The overall purpose of PRAMS is to reduce infant morbidity and mortality by collecting high-quality data and using the information collected to improve the health of mothers and babies by influencing maternal and child health programs and policies.

How are the data collected?

PRAMS uses the mail and the telephone to conduct its surveys. Approximately 135 mothers are selected for the survey from birth certificate records each month. Sampling is done between two and six months after a woman gives birth. Mothers are sent up to three mailed questionnaires. If a mother does not respond by mail, attempts to reach her by phone are made. Questionnaire packets include a cover letter, question and answer sheet, and a consent document. In addition, a 30-minute phone card is sent in the first mailing as an incentive.

For more information about NYS PRAMS please contact:

Anne Radigan
PRAMS Coordinator
NYS Department of Health
Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower, Room 750
Albany, NY 12237
amr05@health.state.ny.us