About AHRMS

History and Funding

Established in 1980, the Arkansas Reproductive Health Monitoring System (ARHMS) is among the oldest continuously operating birth defects surveillance systems in the United States. In February 1985, the program received formal legislative support when the 75th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas passed an act signed into law by then-Governor Bill Clinton, providing dedicated funding to officially sustain ARHMS.

Between 1985 and 1995, ARHMS conducted surveillance on approximately one-quarter to one-third of all births in Arkansas, focusing on selected congenital anomalies. A major milestone occurred in 1995, when ARHMS was awarded a three-year Cooperative Agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This funding strengthened the state-based surveillance infrastructure and enabled expansion to a true statewide system. As a result, ARHMS began monitoring all births across Arkansas for the presence of birth defects.

By 2008, ARHMS achieved full support through state appropriations. This stable funding not only ensured the program’s long-term sustainability, but also positioned Arkansas researchers to successfully compete for and secure funding for multiple birth defects research initiatives across the state.

Today, ARHMS actively monitors birth defects diagnosed prenatally and in children under two years of age, capturing comprehensive data on all pregnancy outcomes among Arkansas residents statewide.

Our Purpose

We seek to identify and describe patterns of birth defects in Arkansas.Our goal is to better understand the causes and, ultimately, help prevent them. Through this work, we support scientific research to help prevent birth defects and improve the health of children and families in Arkansas and global populations.

Research and Collaborations

ARHMS was initially established with the purpose of monitoring adverse reproductive outcomes, including birth defects, and reporting occurrence and trends for these adverse events.

The Birth Defect Prevention Act of 1996 enabled CDC to establish Centers of Excellence in the Research and Prevention of Birth Defects. The Arkansas Birth Defect Research and Prevention Center, one of six CDC-funded Centers, was built on the foundation of ARHMS. Over the past 30+ years, ARHMS has expanded from being simply a repository of collected data to serving as the rich source of research data for research programs such as the Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention. Researchers from the center and across the country used the data to conduct local and national epidemiologic research studies. Information gleaned from these studies is used for the prevention, advocacy and education of families of childbearing-age and those affected by birth defects.

With increased funding and statewide surveillance, ARHMS has become a well-known and well-respected birth defect registry. ARHMS was accepted as a member of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research, a collaboration of worldwide leaders in birth defects surveillance charged with reducing birth defects worldwide.

Our Work

Through coordinated surveillance, research support and data services, ARHMS helps improve understanding of birth defects and promote healthier beginnings. Our efforts provide trusted information that supports prevention and strengthens public health action throughout Arkansas.

Birth Defects Surveillance

We conduct comprehensive statewide monitoring of birth defects using standardized, high‑quality data collection and validation methods. This foundational program supports public health, clinical care, and research.

Data Analysis and Reporting

We transform surveillance data into meaningful insights to inform prevention, support research, and guide decision‑making across Arkansas.

Research Support and Data Access

We partner with researchers by providing well‑organized, de‑identified data and clear guidance on using ARHMS data.

Our Team

Our team includes a medical director, senior epidemiologist, ACRI ARHMS liaison, manager of health information management, information systems specialist and a team of registered health information specialists. Together, we bring expertise in surveillance, data analysis, research support, program coordination and stakeholder engagement. Each role plays a vital part in ensuring high‑quality birth defects monitoring, supporting data integrity and access and advancing scientific understanding and public health impact across Arkansas.