What are the parts of the NICHD and what health topics do they study?

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What are the parts of the NICHD and what health topics do they study?

The NICHD is made up of four centers and two divisions that conduct and support research on specific health areas and health topics. The table below lists the names of these centers and divisions, provides a short description of each, and shows some of the topics they study. For more information about each part of the NICHD, visit their Web sites, at the URLs listed below.

Component	Description	Health Topics

Center for Population Research (CPR)	The CPR carries out the main effort of the United States government in population studies through support of research and research training in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences. For more information, go to www.nichd.nih.gov/cpr.	• Male and female reproductive biology, processes, and disorders affecting fertility and infertility • Contraceptive development and evaluation, family planning • Reproductive and family formation behaviors and influences • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV prevention • Determinants of population change and consequences of population change for the health and well-being of communities and societies

Center for Developmental Biology and Perinatal Medicine (CDBPM)	The CDBPM is the NIH’s major source of research and training in maternal, fetal, and infant health, and disorders of human development. For more information, go to http://www.nichd.nih.gov/cdbpm.	• Pregnancy, birth, infancy, and child health and development • High-risk pregnancy, preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality, and SIDS (biomedical, prevention, & education research) • Developmental biology, birth defects, genetic disorders, developmental disabilities (including autism spectrum disorders), and mental retardation

Center for Research for Mothers and Children (CRMC)	The CRMC is the NIH’s main source of research and training in the areas of child and maternal health, including HIV/AIDS. For more information, go to www.nichd.nih.gov/crmc.	• Pediatric, adolescent, and female HIV/AIDS • Over-the-counter and prescription drug safety and effectiveness in children and pregnant women • Influences on learning (including reading and literacy), behavior, and social development •Physical growth, maturity, and nutrition

Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research (DESPR)	DESPR conducts epidemiological, statistical, and behavioral research on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, birth defects, child health, and adolescent health. DESPR has three branches: Epidemiology, Biometry and Mathematical Statistics, and Prevention Research. For more information, go to www.nichd.nih.gov/despr.	• Fertility, pregnancy, child growth, and development • Methods to promote healthy behavior • Congenital diseases, their effects and treatments • Vaccine testing, pediatric infectious disease and injury prevention, development and evaluation of treatments • Management and oversight of the National Children’s Study

Division of Intramural Research (DIR)	The DIR explores the biological and neurobiological, medical and behavioral aspects of normal and abnormal human growth. The DIR has five major clinical research and training programs in the areas of genetics, endocrinology, and maternal-fetal medicine; it also studies a variety of developmental models at its 18 research laboratories and branches. For more information, go to http://dir2.nichd.nih.gov/.	• Genes and genetic function, repair, and effects on disease and health • Hormones and their effects on growth, metabolism, and reproduction • Immune system development and disorders, including basic research and vaccine development • Nervous system development and disorders • Hormonal, genetic, and social influences on behavior • Maternal-fetal medicine, including high-risk pregnancy • Immune system development and disorders, including basic HIV/AIDS research and vaccine development • Developmental models, including early development and cell specialization • Cell, theoretic, and physical biology • Biology and regulation of development in model and human systems

National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)	The NCMRR sponsors projects and training to promote the health, productivity, independence, and quality-of-life of people with disabilities. The NCMRR supports programs to improve rehabilitation methods, technology, and life-long care so that those with physical disabilities from disease, injury, or disorder can live life to its fullest. For more information, go to www.nichd.nih.gov/about/ncmrr.	• Improving movement, promoting neuroplasticity and recovery, adapting to a disability, and understanding body-injury responses • Health promotion and prevention of injury and disability • Technology development to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and everyday functioning of people with disabilities • Developing assistive devices and bioengineering technologies to promote function and participation • Evaluating rehabilitation effectiveness, specificity, access, and health policy • Training researchers and medical professionals in rehabilitation methods and techniques