What is CDC doing to prevent and help find the causes for birth defects?
CDC does research to try to find the causes of birth defects. Some people at CDC work in a lab doing basic science research to find answers. For example, we may study how chemicals in the air or water or land might harm a developing baby. Others at CDC are “epidemiologists” who look at all types of birth defects. They try to figure out what babies with certain birth defects have in common. They might study people’s genes, their use of certain drugs, or their behaviors. Sometimes parents might be doing something that could harm a future baby. CDC studies how behaviors, like drinking alcohol or taking certain drugs, can harm a baby. We then try to explain to people what they can do, or not do, to try to have a healthy baby. CDC also works closely with doctors and other health care workers, schools, communities, and the media to help prevent birth defects.
CDC does research to try to find the causes of birth defects. Some people at CDC work in a lab doing basic science research to find answers. For example, we may study how chemicals in the air or water or land might harm a developing baby. Others at CDC are epidemiologists who look at all types of birth defects. They try to figure out what babies with certain birth defects have in common. They might study peoples genes, their use of certain drugs, or their behaviors. Sometimes parents might be doing something that could harm a future baby. CDC studies how behaviors, like drinking alcohol or taking certain drugs, can harm a baby. We then try to explain to people what they can do, or not do, to try to have a healthy baby. CDC also works closely with doctors and other health care workers, schools, communities, and the media to help prevent birth defects.
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