First Ledes: Get To The News!

The news isn't that something took place; it's what ended up happening. It's about ultimate outcome. This lede takes some time to get to the latter:

The Centers for Disease Control conducted elaborate studies on American marriages, with staggering truths about divorce rates revealed.  The CDC concludes women’s wealth, religion, and education play drastic roles in the break-up rate.

What holds us up here is the mention of staggering truths. It tells us that there are truths, but it doesn't say what those truths are. It's kind of a waste of time and space. In English composition we prize wordiness, but in journalistic writing we strive for the exact opposite. We went to be precise and efficient in word use.

What I recommend is getting straight to the point by cutting out that middle section of, conducted elaborate studies on American marriages, with staggering truths about divorce rates revealed. The CDC ... that hints at -- but fails to specify -- the findings.

Then I'd merge what was left, leaving us with this:

The Centers for Disease Control concludes women’s wealth, religion, and education play drastic roles in the marriage break-up rate.

Now, we're emphasizing  the end result and ultimate outcome, without the clutter that doesn't really say much.