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Birth defects affect about one in every 33 babies born in the United States each year. They are the leading cause of infant deaths, accounting for more than 20% of all infant deaths. Babies born with birth defects have a greater chance of illness and long term disability than babies without birth defects.
In early 1998, Congress passed the Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998, which became Public Law 105-168. This bill authorized CDC to (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on birth defects; (2) operate regional centers for applied epidemiologic research on the prevention of birth defects; and (3) inform and educate the public about the prevention of birth defects.
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![Programs & Campaigns](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109050155im_/http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/homepage_images/birthdefects_images/header_programs_campaigns.gif) |
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Pregnancy-planning Education Program
Learn what you need to know now to have a safe pregnancy and healthy baby.
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Science Ambassador Program
An opportunity for science teachers to learn about a variety of different topics, including folic acid, birth defects, genetics, fetal alcohol syndome ...
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Excite Educational Curriculum Model
EXCITE (EXcellence in Curriculum Integration though Teaching Epidemiology) is a teaching tool developed by CDC for middle and high school teachers and students.
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Kids' Quest
Join KQ in the quest to learn more about disabilities and health. The Kids' Quest is designed for students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.
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![Hotline](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109050155im_/http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/homepage_images/birthdefects_images/header_ContactInfo.gif) |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center on Birth
Defects and Developmental Disabilities Division of Birth Defects and
Developmental Disabilities: Mail-Stop E-86 1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333 Or Email Us:
NCBDDD Contact Form
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