RTI worked with CDC to conduct project tasks targeting various audiences, including women and men of reproductive age, parents, early educators, and health care providers. The team conducted research to understand what these various audiences know about behaviors that could help or harm the healthy development of babies and children. The main research focus areas included preconception health among women and couples and the prevention of birth defects, such as fetal alcohol syndrome and cleft lip and palate. Other research areas included understanding perceptions about Down syndrome and finding out what pregnant women could and would be willing to do to protect themselves and their families during pandemic influenza.