PDB supports research, data collection, and research training in demography, reproductive health, and population health.
In demography, the branch supports research on the scientific study of human populations, including fertility, pregnancy outcomes, mortality and morbidity (especially maternal, infant, child, adolescent, and young adult mortality and morbidity), migration, population distribution, population stratification (including disparities), nuptiality, family demography, population growth and decline, and the causes and consequences of demographic change.
In reproductive health, the branch supports behavioral and social science research on family planning, infertility, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
In population health, the branch supports research on how demographic, social, economic, institutional, geographic, and other factors influence human health, productivity, behavior, and development, with an emphasis on research using population-representative data and natural experiments. Research at multiple levels of analysis, involving interdisciplinary perspectives, incorporating social determinants of health, and elucidating mechanisms leading to health disparities are encouraged.
Biopsychosocial Program: Examines integration of social science, behavioral, and biomedical approaches to understanding health
Data Sharing Program: Includes documenting, archiving, and disseminating data within the scope of branch-supported projects
Demography of Health Program: Includes population-representative studies of the interrelations between demographic processes and health and the health of populations
Fertility and Infertility Program: Examines social, institutional, economic, and cultural contexts and processes that influence the quantity, timing, and circumstances of childbearing
Life Course Health Program: Examines trajectories of health and mortality from pre-pregnancy through the reproductive years and transgenerational influences on health
Population Composition Program: Studies economic, social, and demographic factors affecting the racial and ethnic composition of the United States and effects of racial and ethnic diversity on population health and health disparities
Work, Family, Health, and Well-Being Initiative: Examines the effects of workplace policies and practices related to work-family conflict on the health and well-being of workers, their families, and the organization/workplace
Trans-NIH Strategic Plan for Women’s Health Research: This 5-year plan highlights a multipronged pathway to advance a vision in which sex and gender influences are integrated into the biomedical research enterprise; every woman receives evidence-based disease prevention and treatment tailored to her own needs, circumstances, and goals; and women in science careers reach their full potential
Rebecca Clark, Branch Chief Main Research Areas: Data (data sharing and big data); gene x environment, epigenetics, biomarkers (behavioral); life course health (developmental origins and early predictors of health); migration and immigration, spatial demography, and GIS; training in population dynamics/demography (institutional); centers (research infrastructure for population dynamics/demography); reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS (behavioral)
Randy Capps, Program Director Main Research Areas: Migration and immigration; spatial demography; health and housing; health disparities; research infrastructure (centers) for and institutional training in demographics and population dynamics
Juanita Chinn, Program Director Main Research Areas: Demography of health and health disparities; mortality, including maternal and infant mortality; causes and consequences of changes in population composition
Susan M. Jekielek, Program Director Main Research Areas: Data science; large data collection efforts for demographic research, and data sharing and dissemination; family demography; work and family; population research on child development; health economics, population economics, and economic demography
Ronna Popkin, Program Director Main Research Areas: Sexual and reproductive health (contraception, STIs including HIV/AIDS [behavioral], and public health interventions and programs); fertility (trends and statistical analyses of pregnancies and births); qualitative research methods
Highlights
Maternal Mental Wellness and Women's Health. Learn about NICHD research efforts related to maternal mental health, including depression and anxiety during and up to 1 year after pregnancy.
BACK TO TOP