Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Prevention and Surveillance

To work with State health agencies, universities, and public and private nonprofit organizations in planning, implementing coordinating or evaluating programs, research or surveillance activities related to improved birth outcomes, prevention of birth defects, and the improvement of infant and child health and developmental outcomes. To provide a national, State or local focus for the prevention of conditions of persons with birth defects; to employ epidemiological methods to set priorities, build capacity and direct health promotion interventions for persons with birth defects; to expand public health training opportunities through fellowships to introduce geneticists, epidemiologists, and clinicians to public health practice through education, training and career-enhancing experiences. To enhance surveillance and research for birth defects; to prevent congenital heart defects and other major birth defects associated with medication use during pregnancy; to advance neural tube defect prevention; and enhance the quality and usefulness of newborn screening data and programs.