CDC has initiated a process to develop a CDC-wide Research Agenda and as a first step a draft listing of broad research concepts has been developed. There will be two opportunities to provide input to reinforce the draft immunization research agenda and/or to suggest additional areas for research. The draft list of topics is on the web, and we understand that the web site will be up to receive comments through April 19: Specific immunization topics (immunization services delivery, epidemiology…

Declining teen birth rates have significantly improved overall child well-being in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new state-by-state analysis to be released by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on April 13. Specifically, the analysis shows that child poverty would have been worse in 2002 if state teen birth rates had not declined between 1991 and 2002—compelling evidence that preventing teen pregnancy is a direct and effective way for states to reduce poverty…