Kara Polen, MPH

Kara Polen, MPH is the Associate Director for Communications in CDC’s Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders. In this role, she leads efforts to promote the Division’s surveillance and research findings on the impact of exposures during pregnancy. Her team also facilitates the translation of data into public health action on topics ranging from emerging threats during pregnancy to prenatal substance exposure. During CDC’s COVID-19 Response, Ms. Polen led communication for the Maternal Immunization Team on CDC’s Vaccine Task Force.