A Level History - America - Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act was significant in providing federal aid for infant health during Warren G. Harding's presidency. Enacted in 1921, this legislation established federal funding for states to create programs aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The act demonstrated a commitment to improving the health of mothers and children by promoting healthcare services, education, and outreach programs for prenatal and postnatal care.

The initiative was pivotal because it marked one of the first times the federal government took an active role in addressing maternal and child health through financial support, reflecting growing concerns over public health during that era. The inclusion of both maternal and infant health in the initiative made it effectively comprehensive and was a response to the high rates of mortality that were prevalent at the time.

Other options, such as the Child Care Act and Women and Children Support Act, either did not exist or were not enacted during Harding's presidency. The Health Security Act refers to later initiatives and does not specifically address the context of the 1920s maternal and infant health focus. Thus, the Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act remains the pivotal piece of legislation for federal aid in infant health during Harding's administration.