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Did You Know?

The AMA's new weekly feature—"Did You Know?"—shares selected facts from the association’s rich history showing how the AMA has improved our health care system for America’s physicians and patients throughout the last 165 years.

Jan. 7, 2013

Did You Know?

The AMA stopped "drive-through deliveries"

That's right. In the early days of managed care, new mothers were sent home the same day they delivered their babies. But thanks to the AMA's campaign against "drive-through" deliveries, a federal law was passed requiring insurance companies to provide appropriate hospitalization and maternity stays.

Learn more about the AMA strategy to improve health outcomes.

The AMA began urging healthy eating more than seven decades ago

Jan. 2, 2013

That's right. In 1938, the AMA published The Normal Diet, which contained the first authoritative dietary recommendations for Americans. Today, the AMA continues that effort by helping physicians assist their patients in living healthier lives.

This is just one way in which the AMA works to improve public health. Find out more by reading about its focus on improving health outcomes.

The AMA was a leading proponent in raising the legal drinking age to 21

Dec. 26, 2012

That's right. Because a higher minimum legal drinking age helps reduce alcohol-related deaths and injuries among youth, the AMA called for all states to raise the legal drinking age to 21 in 1982. By 1988, all states finally heeded the call.

Read more about AMA efforts against alcohol and other drug abuse.

The AMA in 1978 supported state legislation mandating the use of seat belts for infants and children

Dec. 17, 2012

That's right. Today, all 50 states require child safety seats for infants and children that meet specific criteria.

Learn more about the AMA’s work to improve public health.

The AMA forced tobacco companies to admit their products were deadly

Dec. 10, 2012

That's right. After decades of denying that cigarettes were addictive or caused cancer, tobacco companies had to answer to the Journal of the American Medical Association, which published statements from the companies' own memos and papers proving they knew the perils of their products for more than 30 years.

Visit the new JAMA Network of journals

The AMA works to inspire minority students to become doctors

Dec. 3, 2012

That's right. Through its Doctors Back to School program, the AMA works to inspire everyone, but especially minority children, to consider the medical field as a profession. African-American, Hispanic and American Indian physicians are more likely to practice in underserved areas and provide care for minority, poor and uninsured patients.

Learn more about the AMA strategy to improve health outcomes.

The AMA was the main opponent to cigarette advertising aimed at children

Nov. 26, 2012

That's right. In the early 1990s the AMA called for an end to tobacco advertising that targeted children. The AMA’s urging became law in 1998 and teen smoking dropped dramatically.

Learn more about the AMA's work to improve public health.

The AMA was the first major health group to encourage exercise

Nov. 19, 2012

That's right. The AMA urged people to “specialize in exercise” to feel better, look better and sleep better -- in the 1950s! This advice still rings true – especially around the holidays. Just this year the AMA joined the CDC in urging Americans (again) to make exercise a regular part of their lives.

Learn more about the AMA's work to improve public health.

The AMA has published cutting edge thinking on medical education for a century

Nov. 12, 2012

That's right. The Journal of the American Medical Association published its first issue dedicated to medical education in 1901, and every year since continues to devote an entire issue to the best thinking on the most successful ways to train physicians.

Learn more about the AMA's strategic focus on accelerating change in medical education.

The AMA called for seat belts in all cars a decade before Ralph Nader did

Nov. 5, 2012

That's right. In 1954, the AMA called for safety belts in all automobiles and encouraged drivers to "buy a seat belt for each member of your family." That was 13 years before the U.S. government finally made seat belts a requirement for all cars.

Learn more about the AMA's work to improve public health.

AMA has been the leading advocate for improving health outcomes since late 1800s

Oct. 29, 2012

That's right. In the early years, improving health outcomes meant protecting patients from patent medicines and "doctors" without medical training; now it means developing clinical and patient-reported outcomes that ensure health equity and advance quality and safety.

Learn more about the AMA-convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement, the national, physician-led program dedicated to enhancing quality and patient safety.

The AMA has awarded nearly $1 million to support free health clinics over the last 5 years

Oct. 22, 2012

That's right. Through the AMA Foundation, the AMA has supported 56 physician-led free clinics with nearly $1 million since 2007 through the Healthy Communities/Healthy America program. Since its founding, the AMA has been committed to caring for the sick, regardless of ability to pay.

The AMA has been advancing medical science through its renowned publication, JAMA, since 1883

Oct. 15, 2012

That's right. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has been connecting physicians around the globe with insights that shape the future of medicine and help them continually learn about improvements to patient care since 1883.

For more on how the JAMA Network continues to reach millions of people worldwide, visit Facebook, Twitter, and weekly video news releases.

The AMA created ethical standards for the U.S. medical profession

Oct. 8, 2012

That's right. In fact, the first Code of Medical Ethics was adopted at the AMA's founding meeting in 1847 by 250 delegates from 28 states in the hall of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The AMA continues to explore ethical issues through the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.

The AMA has been a strong advocate against drunk driving since 1945

Oct. 1, 2012

That's right. While drunk driving didn't become a prominent public health issue until the 1980s, it was the AMA that recommended limits to determine the influence of alcohol on suspected drunk drivers way back in 1945.

Learn more about the AMA's work to improve public health.

The AMA has been fighting for women physicians since the mid-1800s

Sept. 24, 2012

That's right. While female physicians were highly uncommon in the 19th century, the AMA encouraged them and gained its first female member in 1876. In the 1970s, the AMA spoke out against gender discrimination in medical institutions. Today, nearly half of all students entering medical school are women.

For more on how the AMA has charted a path for America's women physicians, read about the AMA's Women in Medicine Month celebration.

The AMA is the standard bearer for medical education in the U.S.

Sept. 17, 2012

That's right. It was the AMA's work beginning in the mid-1800s that led to the formation and implementation of U.S. standards for physician training. In the early 1900s, the AMA's Council on Medical Education recommended standards that were later adopted by the Carnegie Foundation sponsored Flexner Report. This comprehensive study published in 1910 facilitated new standards for medical schools.

The AMA's role as a leader in medical education continues as part of its strategic plan. Learn about how the AMA is accelerating change in medical education.