42 U.S.C. § 247b: Research relating to preterm labor and delivery and the care, treatment, and outcomes of preterm and low birthweight infants

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; conduct activities to improve national data to facilitate tracking the burden of preterm birth; and 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. 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 1 So in original. 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 provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to support States in improving the collection of information pursuant to this subsection. 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. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section [enacting this note and repealing section 247b–4g of this title ] as the ‘Secretary’) may establish an advisory committee known as the ‘Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality’ (referred to in this section as the ‘Advisory Committee’). Programs of the Department of Health and Human Services that are directed at reducing infant mortality, preterm birth, and improving the health status of pregnant women and infants, and information on cost-effectiveness and outcomes of such programs. Strategies to coordinate the various Federal programs and activities with State, local, and private programs and efforts that address factors that affect infant mortality. The Healthy Start program under section 330H of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254c–8 ) and Healthy People 2020 infant mortality objectives. Implementation of Healthy People objectives related to maternal and infant health. Strategies to reduce racial, ethnic, geographic, and other health disparities in birth outcomes, including by increasing awareness of Federal programs related to appropriate access to, or information regarding, prenatal care to address risk factors for preterm labor and delivery. Strategies, including the implementation of such strategies, to address gaps in Federal research, programs, and education efforts related to the prevention of severe maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and other adverse birth outcomes. Representatives provided for in the original charter of the Advisory Committee. A representative of the National Center for Health Statistics. publish a report summarizing activities and recommendations of the Advisory Committee since the publication of the previous report; submit such report to the Secretary and the appropriate Committees of Congress; and post such report on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.” reduce rates of preterm labor and delivery; work toward an evidence-based standard of care for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor or other serious complications, and for infants born preterm and at a low birthweight; and reduce infant mortality and disabilities caused by prematurity.”