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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Janis Biermann, MS, Education and Health Promotion, March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, 9149974434, jbiermann@marchofdimes.com and Christopher S. Parker, MPH, MPA, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Hereditary Blood Disorders, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS-E64, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333.

Preconception health aims to promote the health of women prior to conception and thereby improve pregnancy-related outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has envisioned the ideal conditions for improving preconception health and pregnancy outcomes, and it could be thought of as the bill of rights for preconception health. The vision was conceived as a prelude to the development of ten recommendations for improving preconception health and care. The CDC, the March of Dimes and 34 other national organizations developed the recommendations. They are based on research evidence, general knowledge, and practice in medicine, public health and related fields. A goal of preconception health promotion is to improve the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of men and woman related to preconception health. Immediate challenges include: 1) how to provide preconception care to the 50% of women who do not plan their pregnancy, 2) how to ensure that women get preconception care 3) identifying what components of preconception care should be delivered by whom and in what setting, 4) identifying which messages are included in the counseling session, 5) ensuring that interventions are delivered 6) determining what funds would be used to finance additional services and 7) how to finance specialty treatment or care when needed.

Public health, policy and health care professionals all have a role to play in promoting preconception health. This presentation will address the practical steps public health, providers and policy professionals can undertake to promote preconception health as a human right.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• State the purpose of preconception health.
• Articulate the vision of preconception health as a human right.
• List 3 challenges for promoting preconception health and preconception care.
• Discuss practical steps a public health professional can initiate to promote preconception health.

Keywords: Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Primary Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation