The Region III Infertility Prevention Project is part of the Centers for Disaease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Infertility Prevention Project (IPP). The National IPP is comprised of ten Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regions around the nation.

The purpose of the project is to control STD-related infertility through the collaborative efforts of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), family planning (FP) providers, and other health care providers throughout Region III. Region III includes 8 project areas that represent six states (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia) and includes two metropolitan areas (Baltimore and Philadelphia). The STD and FP programs in Region III serve over 560,000 individual women each year. The first full year of service began in 1994.

The Project works to promote innovative, high quality and cost-effective approaches in the prevention of STD-related infertility, especially in adolescent girls and young adult women. In addition, the project has worked to expand screening services for men at risk for STDs.

Prevention approaches are designed to link surveillance, clinical, laboratory, behavioral and epidemiologic activities to prevent transmission of STDs that result in PID, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.

Family Planning Council, Inc.
http://www.familyplanning.org
The Family Planning Council, Inc. is the administrator of the Region III Infertility Prevention Project. The Council is a private, non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Its mission is to ensure the availability of high quality, comprehensive reproductive health services to low-income women, men and adolescents throughout the five-county Philadelphia area.

The Family Planning Council, works to ensure that regional project goals are realized and expanded. The project staff provide technical assistance to individual project areas and are primarily responsible for: coordination and promotion of cooperation and innovation among the project areas; quality assurance; maintenance of a regional prevalence system, data analysis and reporting activities; promotion of project activities nationally; and oversight for cost-effective screening and treatment activities.

CDC provides ongoing guidance and technical assistance in the operation of the project, providing up-to-date information on testing, treatment, surveillance, and other vital components of a chlamydia prevention and surveillance program. CDC uses prevalence monitoring data and experience gained through these regional projects to coordinate and improve the National Infertility Prevention Program.