%0 Book %A National Academy of Engineering %T Memorial Tributes: Volume 20 %@ 978-0-309-43729-5 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23394/memorial-tributes-volume-20 %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23394/memorial-tributes-volume-20 %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Biography and Autobiography %P 394 %X This is the 20th Volume in the series Memorial Tributes compiled by the National Academy of Engineering as a personal remembrance of the lives and outstanding achievements of its members and foreign associates. These volumes are intended to stand as an enduring record of the many contributions of engineers and engineering to the benefit of humankind. In most cases, the authors of the tributes are contemporaries or colleagues who had personal knowledge of the interests and the engineering accomplishments of the deceased. Through its members and foreign associates, the Academy carries out the responsibilities for which it was established in 1964. Under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering was formed as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. Members are elected on the basis of significant contributions to engineering theory and practice and to the literature of engineering or on the basis of demonstrated unusual accomplishments in the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology. The National Academies share a responsibility to advise the federal government on matters of science and technology. The expertise and credibility that the National Academy of Engineering brings to that task stem directly from the abilities, interests, and achievements of our members and foreign associates, our colleagues and friends, whose special gifts we remember in this book. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %T Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects %@ 978-0-309-43738-7 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23395/genetically-engineered-crops-experiences-and-prospects %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23395/genetically-engineered-crops-experiences-and-prospects %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Biology and Life Sciences %K Agriculture %P 606 %X Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology. %0 Book %A Institute of Medicine %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Wizemann, Theresa %E Snair, Megan Reeve %E Herrmann, Jack %T Rapid Medical Countermeasure Response to Infectious Diseases: Enabling Sustainable Capabilities Through Ongoing Public- and Private-Sector Partnerships: Workshop Summary %@ 978-0-309-37861-1 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21809/rapid-medical-countermeasure-response-to-infectious-diseases-enabling-sustainable-capabilities %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21809/rapid-medical-countermeasure-response-to-infectious-diseases-enabling-sustainable-capabilities %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 176 %X Emerging infectious disease threats that may not have available treatments or vaccines can directly affect the security of the world's health since these diseases also know no boundaries and will easily cross borders. Sustaining public and private investment in the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) before an emerging infectious disease becomes a public health emergency in the United States has been extremely challenging. Interest and momentum peak during a crisis and wane between events, and there is little interest in disease threats outside the United States until they impact people stateside. On March 26 and 27, 2015, the Institute of Medicine convened a workshop in Washington, DC to discuss how to achieve rapid and nimble MCM capability for new and emerging threats. Public- and private-sector stakeholders examined recent efforts to prepare for and respond to outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease, pandemic influenza, and coronaviruses from policy, budget, and operational standpoints. Participants discussed the need for rapid access to MCM to ensure national security and considered strategies and business models that could enhance stakeholder interest and investment in sustainable response capabilities. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from this workshop. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %T Enhancing Participation in the U.S. Global Change Research Program %@ 978-0-309-38026-3 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21837/enhancing-participation-in-the-us-global-change-research-program %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21837/enhancing-participation-in-the-us-global-change-research-program %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Environment and Environmental Studies %K Earth Sciences %K Behavioral and Social Sciences %P 64 %X The US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is a collection of 13 Federal entities charged by law to assist the United States and the world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change. As the understanding of global change has evolved over the past decades and as demand for scientific information on global change has increased, the USGCRP has increasingly focused on research that can inform decisions to cope with current climate variability and change, to reduce the magnitude of future changes, and to prepare for changes projected over coming decades. Overall, the current breadth and depth of research in these agencies is insufficient to meet the country's needs, particularly to support decision makers. This report provides a rationale for evaluating current program membership and capabilities and identifying potential new agencies and departments in the hopes that these changes will enable the program to more effectively inform the public and prepare for the future. It also offers actionable recommendations for adjustments to the methods and procedures that will allow the program to better meet its stated goals. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %T Review of the U.S. Global Change Research Program's Update to the Strategic Plan Document %@ 978-0-309-43746-2 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23396/review-of-the-us-global-change-research-programs-update-to-the-strategic-plan-document %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23396/review-of-the-us-global-change-research-programs-update-to-the-strategic-plan-document %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Environment and Environmental Studies %P 92 %X The Update to the Strategic Plan (USP) is a supplement to the Ten-Year Strategic Plan of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) completed in 2012. The Strategic Plan sets out a research program guiding thirteen federal agencies in accord with the Global Change Research Act of 1990. This report reviews whether USGCRP’s efforts to achieve its goals and objectives, as documented in the USP, are adequate and responsive to the Nation’s needs, whether the priorities for continued or increased emphasis are appropriate, and if the written document communicates effectively, all within a context of the history and trajectory of the Program. %0 Book %A Institute of Medicine %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Mack, Alison %E Snair, Megan R. %E Choffnes, Eileen R. %T Global Health Risk Framework: Governance for Global Health: Workshop Summary %@ 978-0-309-38104-8 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21854/global-health-risk-framework-governance-for-global-health-workshop-summary %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21854/global-health-risk-framework-governance-for-global-health-workshop-summary %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 200 %X Since the 2014 Ebola outbreak many public- and private-sector leaders have seen a need for improved management of global public health emergencies. The effects of the Ebola epidemic go well beyond the three hardest-hit countries and beyond the health sector. Education, child protection, commerce, transportation, and human rights have all suffered. The consequences and lethality of Ebola have increased interest in coordinated global response to infectious threats, many of which could disrupt global health and commerce far more than the recent outbreak. In order to explore the potential for improving international management and response to outbreaks the National Academy of Medicine agreed to manage an international, independent, evidence-based, authoritative, multistakeholder expert commission. As part of this effort, the Institute of Medicine convened four workshops in summer of 2015 to inform the commission report. The presentations and discussions from the Governance for Global Health Workshop are summarized in this report. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Mack, Alison %T Global Health Impacts of Vector-Borne Diseases: Workshop Summary %@ 978-0-309-37759-1 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21792/global-health-impacts-of-vector-borne-diseases-workshop-summary %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21792/global-health-impacts-of-vector-borne-diseases-workshop-summary %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 396 %X Pathogens transmitted among humans, animals, or plants by insects and arthropod vectors have been responsible for significant morbidity and mortality throughout recorded history. Such vector-borne diseases – including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and plague – together accounted for more human disease and death in the 17th through early 20th centuries than all other causes combined. Over the past three decades, previously controlled vector-borne diseases have resurged or reemerged in new geographic locations, and several newly identified pathogens and vectors have triggered disease outbreaks in plants and animals, including humans. Domestic and international capabilities to detect, identify, and effectively respond to vector-borne diseases are limited. Few vaccines have been developed against vector-borne pathogens. At the same time, drug resistance has developed in vector-borne pathogens while their vectors are increasingly resistant to insecticide controls. Furthermore, the ranks of scientists trained to conduct research in key fields including medical entomology, vector ecology, and tropical medicine have dwindled, threatening prospects for addressing vector-borne diseases now and in the future. In June 2007, as these circumstances became alarmingly apparent, the Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a workshop to explore the dynamic relationships among host, pathogen(s), vector(s), and ecosystems that characterize vector-borne diseases. Revisiting this topic in September 2014, the Forum organized a workshop to examine trends and patterns in the incidence and prevalence of vector-borne diseases in an increasingly interconnected and ecologically disturbed world, as well as recent developments to meet these dynamic threats. Participants examined the emergence and global movement of vector-borne diseases, research priorities for understanding their biology and ecology, and global preparedness for and progress toward their prevention, control, and mitigation. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. %0 Book %T The Neglected Dimension of Global Security: A Framework to Counter Infectious Disease Crises %@ 978-0-309-39093-4 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21891/the-neglected-dimension-of-global-security-a-framework-to-counter %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21891/the-neglected-dimension-of-global-security-a-framework-to-counter %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %K Conflict and Security Issues %P 142 %X Since the 2014 Ebola outbreak many public- and private-sector leaders have seen a need for improved management of global public health emergencies. The effects of the Ebola epidemic go well beyond the three hardest-hit countries and beyond the health sector. Education, child protection, commerce, transportation, and human rights have all suffered. The consequences and lethality of Ebola have increased interest in coordinated global response to infectious threats, many of which could disrupt global health and commerce far more than the recent outbreak. In order to explore the potential for improving international management and response to outbreaks the National Academy of Medicine agreed to manage an international, independent, evidence-based, authoritative, multistakeholder expert commission. As part of this effort, the Institute of Medicine convened four workshops in summer of 2015. This commission report considers the evidence supplied by these workshops and offers conclusions and actionable recommendations to guide policy makers, international funders, civil society organizations, and the private sector. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Mack, Allison %E Snair, Megan Reeve %E Mundaca-Shah, Carmen %T The Ebola Epidemic in West Africa: Proceedings of a Workshop %@ 978-0-309-45006-5 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23653/the-ebola-epidemic-in-west-africa-proceedings-of-a-workshop %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23653/the-ebola-epidemic-in-west-africa-proceedings-of-a-workshop %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 136 %X The most recent Ebola epidemic that began in late 2013 alerted the entire world to the gaps in infectious disease emergency preparedness and response. The regional outbreak that progressed to a significant public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in a matter of months killed 11,310 and infected more than 28,616. While this outbreak bears some unique distinctions to past outbreaks, many characteristics remain the same and contributed to tragic loss of human life and unnecessary expenditure of capital: insufficient knowledge of the disease, its reservoirs, and its transmission; delayed prevention efforts and treatment; poor control of the disease in hospital settings; and inadequate community and international responses. Recognizing the opportunity to learn from the countless lessons of this epidemic, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop in March 2015 to discuss the challenges to successful outbreak responses at the scientific, clinical, and global health levels. Workshop participants explored the epidemic from multiple perspectives, identified important questions about Ebola that remained unanswered, and sought to apply this understanding to the broad challenges posed by Ebola and other emerging pathogens, to prevent the international community from being taken by surprise once again in the face of these threats. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. %0 Book %A Institute of Medicine %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Alper, Joe %E Geller, Amy %T How Modeling Can Inform Strategies to Improve Population Health: Workshop Summary %@ 978-0-309-37848-2 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21807/how-modeling-can-inform-strategies-to-improve-population-health-workshop %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21807/how-modeling-can-inform-strategies-to-improve-population-health-workshop %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 120 %X In April 2015, the Institute of Medicine convened a workshop to explore the potential uses of simulation and other types of modeling for the purpose of selecting and refining potential strategies, ranging from interventions to investments, to improve the health of communities and the nation's health. Participants worked to identify how modeling could inform population health decision making based on lessons learned from models that have been, or have not been, used successfully, opportunities and barriers to incorporating models into decision making, and data needs and opportunities to leverage existing data and to collect new data for modeling. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from this workshop. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Alper, Joe %T Health Literacy and Palliative Care: Workshop Summary %@ 978-0-309-38036-2 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21839/health-literacy-and-palliative-care-workshop-summary %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21839/health-literacy-and-palliative-care-workshop-summary %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 136 %X The Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Health Literacy convened a 1-day public workshop to explore the relationship between palliative care and health literacy, and the importance of health literate communication in providing high-quality delivery of palliative care. Health Literacy and Palliative Care summarizes the discussions that occurred throughout the workshop and highlights the key lessons presented, practical strategies, and the needs and opportunities for improving health literacy in the United States. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Alper, Joe %T Big Data and Analytics for Infectious Disease Research, Operations, and Policy: Proceedings of a Workshop %@ 978-0-309-45011-9 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23654/big-data-and-analytics-for-infectious-disease-research-operations-and-policy %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23654/big-data-and-analytics-for-infectious-disease-research-operations-and-policy %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %K Math, Chemistry, and Physics %K Surveys and Statistics %P 98 %X With the amount of data in the world exploding, big data could generate significant value in the field of infectious disease. The increased use of social media provides an opportunity to improve public health surveillance systems and to develop predictive models. Advances in machine learning and crowdsourcing may also offer the possibility to gather information about disease dynamics, such as contact patterns and the impact of the social environment. New, rapid, point-of-care diagnostics may make it possible to capture not only diagnostic information but also other potentially epidemiologically relevant information in real time. With a wide range of data available for analysis, decision-making and policy-making processes could be improved. While there are many opportunities for big data to be used for infectious disease research, operations, and policy, many challenges remain before it is possible to capture the full potential of big data. In order to explore some of the opportunities and issues associated with the scientific, policy, and operational aspects of big data in relation to microbial threats and public health, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop in May 2016. Participants discussed a range of topics including preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats using big data and related analytics; varieties of data (including demographic, geospatial, behavioral, syndromic, and laboratory) and their broader applications; means to improve their collection, processing, utility, and validation; and approaches that can be learned from other sectors to inform big data strategies for infectious disease research, operations, and policy. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. %0 Book %A National Academy of Sciences %E Henig, Robin Marantz %T From Research to Reward: The Hospital Checklist: How Social Science Insights Improve Health Care Outcomes %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23510/from-research-to-reward-the-hospital-checklist-how-social-science %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23510/from-research-to-reward-the-hospital-checklist-how-social-science %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Explore Science %K Policy for Science and Technology %K Behavioral and Social Sciences %K Health and Medicine %P 4 %0 Book %A National Academy of Sciences %T Report of the Treasurer for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23558/report-of-the-treasurer-for-the-year-ended-december-31-2015 %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23558/report-of-the-treasurer-for-the-year-ended-december-31-2015 %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Policy for Science and Technology %P 79 %X The income that supports the activities of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) comes from two major sources: program revenue received from sponsors to pay for the myriad studies and other activities undertaken each year by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and a much smaller sum that is obtained from our endowment under the endowment spending policies adopted by the Council. The goal of the endowment is to provide stable support for the Academy's programs and activities. To achieve this goal, the Council, acting on the recommendations of the Finance Committee, has historically authorized spending from the portfolio at a rate designed to maintain the purchasing power of the endowment over time. This Report of the Treasure of the National Academy of Sciences presents the financial position and results of operations as well as a review of the endowment, trust, and other long-term investments portfolio activities of our Academy for the year ended December 31, 2015. While this book provides essential financial summary to key personnel, it also serves as a vital informative resource for various members of the public, private, and governmental sectors. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Pittluck, Rachel %E Flavahan, Louise %E Callaghan, Bridget %T Establishing an African Association for Health Professions Education and Research: Workshop in Brief %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23485/establishing-an-african-association-for-health-professions-education-and-research %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23485/establishing-an-african-association-for-health-professions-education-and-research %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Health and Medicine %P 10 %X At the request of the NIH Fogarty International Center, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Board on Global Health convened a workshop just outside Kampala on February 1-4, 2016, to discuss the establishment of a permanent African association for health professions education and research that would build on the achievements of Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI) and expand their reach across the continent and the spectrum of health professions. The workshop brought together a diverse group of leaders in health professions education, representing 11 African countries and a range of professions including dentistry, laboratory sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %T Strategies to Enhance Air Force Communication with Internal and External Audiences: A Workshop Report %@ 978-0-309-38901-3 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21876/strategies-to-enhance-air-force-communication-with-internal-and-external-audiences %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21876/strategies-to-enhance-air-force-communication-with-internal-and-external-audiences %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Conflict and Security Issues %K Policy for Science and Technology %P 50 %X The U.S. Air Force (USAF) helps defend the United States and its interests by organizing, training, and equipping forces for operations in and through three distinct domains -- air, space, and cyberspace. The Air Force concisely expresses its vision as "Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power for America." Operations within each of these domains are dynamic, take place over large distances, occur over different operational timelines, and cannot be routinely seen or recorded, making it difficult for Airmen, national decision makers, and the American People to visualize and comprehend the full scope of Air Force operations. As a result, the Air Force faces increasing difficulty in succinctly and effectively communicating the complexity, dynamic range, and strategic importance of its mission to Airmen and to the American people. To address this concern, the Chief of Staff of the USAF requested that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convene a workshop to explore options on how the Air Force can effectively communicate the strategic importance of the Service, its mission, and the role it plays in the defense of the United States. Participants worked to address the issues that a diverse workforce encompassing a myriad of backgrounds, education, and increasingly diverse current mission sets drives the requirement for a new communication strategy. The demographics of today's Air Force creates both a unique opportunity and a distinct challenge to Air Force leadership as it struggles to communicate its vision and strategy effectively across several micro-cultures within the organization and to the general public. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. %0 Book %A National Academy of Sciences %E Berreby, David %T From Research to Reward: How a Political Scientist Knows What Our Enemies Will Do (Often Before They Do) %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23509/from-research-to-reward-how-a-political-scientist-knows-what %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23509/from-research-to-reward-how-a-political-scientist-knows-what %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Explore Science %K Policy for Science and Technology %K Math, Chemistry, and Physics %K Conflict and Security Issues %K Surveys and Statistics %P 4 %0 Book %A Transportation Research Board %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %T Beyond Compliance: Strengthening the Safety Culture of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23662/beyond-compliance-strengthening-the-safety-culture-of-the-offshore-oil-and-gas-industry %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23662/beyond-compliance-strengthening-the-safety-culture-of-the-offshore-oil-and-gas-industry %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Transportation and Infrastructure %P 52 %X Beyond Compliance: Strengthening the Safety Culture of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry summarizes recommendations to industry and regulators to strengthen and sustain the safety culture of the offshore oil and gas industry.The committee that prepared the report addresses conceptual challenges in defining safety culture, and discusses the empirical support for the safety culture definition offered by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the nine characteristics or elements of a robust safety culture, methods for assessing company safety culture, and barriers to improving safety culture in the offshore industry.The committee’s report also identifies topics on which further research is needed with respect to assessing, improving, and sustaining safety culture. Download the full report issued in May 2016 or a Report in Brief. %0 Book %A Transportation Research Board %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Turnbull, Katherine F. %T Transportation Systems Performance Measurement and Data: Summary of the 5th International Conference %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23455/transportation-systems-performance-measurement-and-data-summary-of-the-5th-international-conference %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23455/transportation-systems-performance-measurement-and-data-summary-of-the-5th-international-conference %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Transportation and Infrastructure %P 115 %X TRB's Conference Proceedings on the Web 18: Transportation Systems Performance Measurement and Data: Summary of the 5th International Conference highlights a June 1-2, 2015 conference and live webcast that brought together personnel from public agencies, universities, and the private sector to address ways to develop, apply, and deliver performance measures to support transportation decisions.The conference was organized around four broad themes:• Driving decisions—aligning performance measures to support decisions;• Tracking the moves—intermodal performance measurement;• Untangling the data web—using advances in data and technology to support• performance measurement; and• The state of the practice and opportunities. %0 Book %A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine %E Beatty, Alexandra %T Recent Fertility Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa: Workshop Summary %@ 978-0-309-38119-2 %D 2016 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21857/recent-fertility-trends-in-sub-saharan-africa-workshop-summary %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21857/recent-fertility-trends-in-sub-saharan-africa-workshop-summary %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Behavioral and Social Sciences %P 88 %X Fertility rates and population growth influence economic development. The marked declines in fertility seen in some developing nations have been accompanied by slowing population growth, which in turn provided a window of opportunity for rapid economic growth. For many sub-Saharan African nations, this window has not yet opened because fertility rates have not declined as rapidly there as elsewhere. Fertility rates in many sub-Saharan African countries are high: the total rate for the region is estimated to be 5.1 births per woman, and rates that had begun to decline in many countries in the region have stalled. High rates of fertility in these countries are likely to contribute to continued rapid population growth: the United Nations projects that the region's population will increase by 1.2 billion by 2050, the highest growth among the regions for which there are projections. In June 2015, the Committee on Population organized a workshop to explore fertility trends and the factors that have influenced them. The workshop committee was asked to explore history and trends related to fertility, proximate determinants and other influences, the status and impact of family planning programs, and prospects for further reducing fertility rates. This study will help donors, researchers, and policy makers better understand the factors that may explain the slow pace of fertility decline in this region, and develop methods to improve family planning in sub-Saharan Africa.