Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118933

Hani K. Atrash, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE E-87, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-498-3800, hatrash@cdc.gov

While past public health achievements have greatly improved pregnancy outcomes, perinatal problems still occur. Opportunities for further improvement lie in prevention strategies that, if implemented prior to conception (i.e., preconception care), would result in further improvement of pregnancy outcomes. There is strong evidence that a number of intervention components of preconception care are effective. These interventions are currently available to women and couples where indicated. Bundling the various components into a preconception care visit (or visits) may improve efficient delivery of services and has the potential to improve perinatal outcomes and reduce costs associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has convened a Work Group on Preconception Care to study the prevention opportunity of preconception care and hosted a meeting with external partners to share information, assess barriers, and identify priorities related to preconception care in November 2004. A National Summit on Preconception care is scheduled for June 21 and 22, 2005 in Atlanta, GA. The workgroup plans to develop and publish recommendations for preconception care in collaboration with professional organizations and public and private partners; develop, and evaluate strategies for bundling health messages and services; train health care providers to implement preconception care; initiate research to support marketing, outreach, and education to physicians, other health care professionals, and the public about the importance of preconception care; and conduct studies regarding the economic impact of widespread implementation of evidence-based preconception care bundles, and the effectiveness of evidence-based preconception care bundles in managed care organizations.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identifying a set of proven components of preconception care, supported by strong evidence of effectiveness if delivered before pregnancy
• 2. Describing ways in which public health can assure the systematic delivery of proven interventions for women and couple who have intended births
• 3. Learning about the opportunities for women's health promotion through preconception care, and
• 4. Understanding the benefits to long term health of women that can be motivated through the anticipation of an intended birth

Keywords: Pregnancy, Perinatal Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation