42 USC 247b-4f – Research relating to preterm labor and delivery and the care, treatment, and outcomes of preterm and low birthweight infants

(a) Omitted

(b) Studies and activities on preterm birth

(1) In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may, subject to the availability of appropriations—

(A) conduct epidemiological studies on the factors relating to prematurity, such as clinical, biological, social, environmental, genetic, and behavioral factors, and other determinants that contribute to health disparities and are related to prematurity, as appropriate;

(B) conduct activities to improve national data to facilitate tracking the burden of preterm birth; and

(C) continue efforts to prevent preterm birth, including late preterm birth, through the identification of opportunities for prevention and the assessment of the impact of such efforts.

(2) Report

Not later than 2 years after November 27, 2013, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress reports regarding activities and studies conducted under paragraph (1), including any applicable analyses of preterm birth. Such report shall be posted on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services..¹

(c) Pregnancy risk assessment monitoring survey

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall—

(1) continue systems for the collection of maternal-infant clinical and biomedical information, including electronic health records, electronic databases, and biobanks, to link with the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and other epidemiological studies of prematurity in order to track, to the extent practicable, all pregnancy outcomes and prevent preterm birth; and

(2) provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to support States in improving the collection of information pursuant to this subsection.

(d) Evaluation of existing tools and measures

Terms Used In 42 USC 247b-4f

Secretary: means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. See 42 USC 201

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review existing tools and measures to ensure that such tools and measures include information related to the known risk factors of low birth weight and preterm birth.