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1662: John Graunt - Vital Statistics Analysis
In 1662, John Graunt, an English Statistician, analyzed over 30 years of vital statistics and social data, which led to the establishment of basic principles for data analysis and data reliability. -
1693: Edmond Halley's Mortality Tables
In 1693, Edmond Halley developed the first mortality tables to predict life expectancy. His work established modern principles for the management and analysis of public health data. -
1798: First Local Health Department Established
In 1798, the first local health department in the United States was formed in Baltimore, Maryland. -
1831-1832: Cholera Outbreaks in England
Between 1831 and 1832, England experienced outbreaks of Cholera. These outbreaks signified the need for improved sanitation, which labeled sanitation as a public health issue. Thus began a sanitation movement. -
1834: The Poor Law Passed
In 1834, the Poor Law was passed, prompting the creation of the Poor Law Commission. Dr. Edwin Chadwick was appointed secretary of this commission and became a leading force in the sanitation movement. -
1836 - William Farr and the Births and Deaths Registration Act
With the creation of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, William Farr, a British epidemiologist, began to collect and use available data to better understand the role sanitation plays in health. -
1850: Lemuel Shattuck's Published Report
In 1850, Lemuel Shattuck published his "Report of the Sanitary Commission of Massachusetts," which provided the basic foundation for the development of a public health system in the United States. -
1854: Cholera Strikes England Again
In 1854, England experienced another outbreak of Cholera. Dr. John Snow performed an investigation to determine the cause of the outbreak and to map the spread of the disease. He was successful, and his methodology used became the foundation for all modern epidemiological investigations of disease outbreaks. -
1874: Postcard-based Reporting System Established in MA
In 1874, Massachusetts developed a postcard-based reporting system, which marked the beginning of U.S. infectious disease reporting. -
1902 - U.S Bureau of the Census Formed
In 1902, the U.S. Bureau of the Census was formed. -
1933: First State to Report Vital Statistics to Government
In 1933, Texas became the first state to begin reporting vital statistics to the federal government. -
1946: Communicable Disease Center Formed
In 1946, the Communicable Disease Center was formed, with the purpose of investigating and controlling communicable disease. This later became the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that exists today. -
1960: The National Center for Health Statistics Established
In 1960, the National Center for Health Statistics was established as the United States' primary federal health statistics agency. -
1974: Privacy Act Passed
In 1974, the Privacy Act passed, in which fair information practices were established for federal agencies to follow in order to keep individual information confidential. -
1996: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Enacted
In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted. It provided data privacy and security provisions for protecting medical information. It also protested health care coverage of workers and their families if they lost or changed their jobs. -
2003: Initial HIPAA Compliance Date
The initial HIPAA compliance date, specifically related to the Privacy Rule, was in 2003. The Privacy Rule regulates the use and disclosure of protected health information (i.e birth dates, medical record number, etc.) held by covered entities, such as health plans and medical providers. -
2009: Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act Enacted
In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was enacted. This act fostered the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology, such as electronic health records. -
2010: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Signed
In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. This kickstarted a series of comprehensive health insurance reforms to help put control back into the hands of patients. Furthermore, this created a new focus on prevention and the formation of partnerships with public health agencies, in addition to making health care more affordable and accessible for all people.
