
	According to the Population Council&#39;s founder, John D. Rockefeller 3rd, the reason to care about population is &quot;to improve the quality of people&#39;s lives, to help make it possible for individuals everywhere to develop their full potential.&quot; Throughout its history, the Council&#39;s unique role has been to conduct biomedical, social science, and public health research and disseminate evidence to shape more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world.
	
	Our more than 600 staff members from 33 countries in 18 offices conduct research and implement programs in more than 50 countries around the world (see where we work). Working with governments and civil society organizations, they combine excellence in demographic studies, operations research, technical assistance, basic biomedical research on reproductive physiology and HIV, and the development of new contraceptives and products to prevent the transmission of HIV. We also improve the research capacity of reproductive and population scientists in developing countries through grants, fellowships, and support of research centers.
