Written by Helen Tesfai, MPH

What Is PRAMS?
The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a population-based survey of mothers who recently gave birth. The survey is conducted every year. It collects state-specific data about mothers’ behaviors and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. The data also covers infant health outcomes.¹

What Is the Purpose?
The purpose of PRAMS is to find out why some infants are born healthy and others are not. The survey asks new mothers questions about their pregnancy and their new infant. The questions give us important information about the mother and the infant and help us learn more about the impacts of health and behaviors. PRAMS provides data for state, territorial, or local health officials to use to improve the health of mothers and infants.¹

Who Collects PRAMS Data?
PRAMS data is collected annually by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Minnesota Department of Health, and Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The PRAMS questionnaire has three parts:²

1. a core that all sites/states use
2. optional questions that sites/states may select
3. site- or state-developed questions that are usually used only by the group that developed them.

Both Minnesota and Wisconsin generate a PRAMS report that specifically focuses on American Indian/Alaska Natives. Wisconsin PRAMS collaborated with GLITEC to publish the Wisconsin report.

What Are Key Findings From the Minnesota PRAMS Report?
Learn about key findings from the Minnesota PRAMS Report below or view the full report: The Health of American Indian Families in Minnesota: A Data Book.³

What Are Key Findings From the 2020 Wisconsin PRAMS Report?
Learn about key findings from the 2020 Wisconsin PRAMS Report below or view the full report: Wisconsin PRAMS for Native Mothers, 2020.⁴ 

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References

1. About PRAMS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024. Accessed August 26, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/prams/about/index.html
2. PRAMS data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 22, 2024. Accessed August 26, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/prams/php/data-research/index.html
3. The health of American Indian families in Minnesota: a data book. Minnesota Department of Health. March 28, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/womeninfants/womenshealth/amerindianreport.pdf 
4. Wisconsin PRAMS for Native mothers, 2020. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Published May 2025. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02500a.pdf