Exposure to hazards in the physical environment — secondhand smoke, lead, mercury, air pollution, pesticides, and other toxins — may increase the likelihood of poor reproductive health outcomes. Other factors include risky behaviors, lack of access to prenatal care, smoking, alcohol and illegal drug use, poor nutrition, genetics, and pre-existing health issues.
In 2021 nearly 83% of pregnant people in Vermont received prenatal care during the first three months of pregnancy.
Prematurity — being born too early — is the leading cause of death in the first month of life.
The reports below are interactive, which means you can:
Reproductive health refers to the diseases, disorders and conditions that affect the functioning of the reproductive systems during reproductive age. A person’s lifestyle, habits, genetics, use of medicines and exposure to chemicals in the environment can all affect reproductive health.
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant can reduce the chance of poor reproductive outcomes by taking certain actions:
Some environmental toxins, such as mercury and lead, can pass from a mother to her unborn child. A woman eating fish high in mercury during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby’s developing nervous system. Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays.
Ways to prevent exposure from environmental sources:
The Vermont Tracking portal provides reproductive health outcome data about:
