About Reproductive Health

Key points

  • CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health focuses on issues related to reproductive health, maternal health, and infant health.
  • For over 50 years, we have worked to improve the lives of women, children, and families through science, data, programs, and partnerships.
mother with toddler

Overview

CDC supports national and state efforts to collect data and information to better understand health issues impacting reproductive, maternal, and infant health. CDC also works with partners to translate research into practice. This increases quality of care and informs prevention approaches. CDC provides technical assistance and training to help improve male and female reproductive health, maternal health, and infant health. A key part of our work is assessing the drivers of health disparities. This informs efforts to improve equity in care and outcomes.

CDC also works with partners to translate research into practice. This increases quality of care and informs prevention approaches. CDC provides technical assistance and training to help improve male and female reproductive health, maternal health, and infant health.

What CDC is doing

Through key investments, CDC promotes optimal reproductive and infant health and quality of life. By ensuring women get the right care at the right time, we can ensure we are making a difference.

Strategic Areas of Focus

These strategic areas of focus are priority topics for CDC's Division of Reproductive Health efforts. They are not inclusive of all work, but help to measure progress in key areas.

Maternal Mortality and Complications of Pregnancy
Identify, review, and monitor maternal deaths and complications of pregnancy to prevent them.

Infant Morbidity and Mortality
Provide epidemiologic and programmatic subject matter expertise in infant (0-12 months) morbidity and mortality, with special emphases on sudden unexpected infant deaths.

Chronic Disease Prevention among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA)
Advance evidence-based guidelines, policies, and practice related to chronic disease prevention among WRA to improve pregnancy outcomes and improve women's health through the life course.

Reducing Teen and Unintended Pregnancy
Advance evidence-based practices, policies, and programs related to reducing teen and unintended pregnancies, focusing on improving access to and use of quality family planning services.

Global Reproductive Health
Provide technical assistance for activities to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and severe morbidity in high mortality settings, primarily through program monitoring and evaluation, and building in-country capacity.

Science to Practice
Identify and implement effective strategies for promoting the translation of science to practice and policy to impact population health outcomes.