Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

PRAMS — Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

A surveillance system that gathers state-specific information about experiences before, during and shortly after pregnancy.

Read the primary source

Dataset / methodology guide / Survey year varies by state and release

Dataset / methodology guide · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Read with context.

PRAMS is useful for questions about experiences, behaviors and selected outcomes around pregnancy. Keep the state, survey year and topic module attached to any finding you cite.

Limits to keep in view

State participation, timing and questionnaire content vary. Self-reported survey data do not, by themselves, establish why a disparity exists.

Connect evidence to action

Choose a question, verify the relevant jurisdiction, and explain the action you are asking someone to take. A source-backed draft is a starting point—not a message sent on your behalf.

Use this in an advocacy brief

Research sources

Source text supports this summary. Human editorial approval, service availability and eligibility are separate checks.

Related policy & program records

Shared topic, not a claim of causation or eligibility.

Your working notes

Keep the context with the claim.

Write the question first

What are you trying to understand? Identify the population and place before looking for a number that might support your position.

Capture the measure

Record the source title, table or indicator, units, reference period and any stated uncertainty. Preserve the original wording of technical definitions.

Distinguish observation from explanation

A difference between groups can prompt further inquiry. It does not, by itself, identify the cause or establish the effect of a particular policy.