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Birth Defects Epidemiology
What is the Birth Defects Program?
The Michigan Birth Defects Program is a statewide, population-based, passive surveillance system, housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS). The Program encompasses the Michigan Birth Defects Registry (MBDR) and the Birth Defects Education, Outreach, and Surveillance Program. The primary aims of the Birth Defect Program are to: 1) monitor the rate of birth defects, 2) conduct follow-up activities, and 3) educate individuals, professionals and the public about preventable risk factors.
Michigan's formal surveillance system for monitoring the occurrence of birth defects began in 1987 when the public health code was amended by Act 48 (Public Act 368) to require establishment of a birth defects registry. Case reporting began in 1992 and continues today, relying on reporting by hospitals and cytogenetic
laboratories for case ascertainment.
Birth Defects Epidemiologist: Kenneth Hanson
Roles & Responsibilities:
This position provides epidemiological support to the Birth Defects Education, Outreach & Surveillance Program at the MDHHS. Roles include data management, surveillance of birth defects, study design and planning, policy and program development, program evaluation, technical expertise and training. Statistical analyses of data are presented in newsletters, updates, presentations, and annual reports. The epidemiologist works to improve data collection and data use to support the functions of this program. The Birth Defects Program includes the Michigan Birth Defects Registry and works to prevent birth defects, monitor the rate of birth defects, and link families to resources and support.
Birth Defects Deliverables:
For more information or to request a different format for any birth defects-related publication on this page, please contact: Kenneth Hanson (Birth Defects Epidemiologist).
Birth Defects Prosperity Region Factsheets
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 10 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 9 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 8 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 7 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 6 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 5 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 4 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 3 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 2 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 1 (2025)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 10 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 9 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 8 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 7 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 6 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 5 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 4 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 3 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 2 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 1 (2024)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 10 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 9 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 8 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 7 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 6 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 5 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 4 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 3 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 2 (2023)
Birth Defects and Birth Characteristics - Prosperity Region 1 (2023)
Birth Defects Newsletter
Michigan Monitor Fall 2022 - Updated Birth Defects Prevalence Data, 2015-2019
Michigan Monitor Summer 2021 - Updated Birth Defects Prevalence Data, 2013-2017
Michigan Monitor Summer 2020 - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Michigan Monitor Winter 2019 - Neural Tube Defects
Michigan Monitor Summer 2018 - Birth Defect Related Infant and Fetal Mortality
Michigan Monitor Fall 2017 - Microcephaly
Michigan Monitor Fall 2015 - Prenatal Infection and Birth Defects
Michigan Monitor Spring 2015 - Orofacial Clefts
Michigan Monitor Fall 2013 - Congenital Heart Disease
Michigan Monitor Summer 2011 - Infant & Child Mortality
Michigan Monitor Spring 2011 - Maternal Obesity
Michigan Monitor Summer 2010 - Birth Defects and Hearing Loss
Michigan Monitor Spring 2010 - Health Disparities and Congenital Heart Defects
Michigan Monitor Fall 2009 - Teens with Diabetes
Michigan Monitor Fall 2008 - Birth Defects and Children's Special Health Care Services
Birth Defects Surveillance Reports
Monitoring Infants and Children with Special Health Needs: Birth Defects Prevalence and Mortality in Michigan, 1992-2008
Birth Defects Surveillance Special Reports
Zika in Michigan
Case-Finding and Validation of Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) Related Hospital Admissions in Michigan Infants Under One Year of Age
Apert Syndrome Prevalence in Michigan, 1992-2013
A Needs Assessment Survey for Parents of Children with Oral Cleft in Michigan: Results from the Orofacial Cleft Family Survey, 2013
Orofacial Clefts in Michigan, 2001-2010. Monitoring Infants and Children with Special Needs - Special Report
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