Oral

At the core of healthy communities are healthy people. Preconception health and care promotion aims to optimize the health of women and men of reproductive age prior to conception and thus has the potential to improve birth outcomes and maternal and infant health. The preconception health and care needs of minority populations in the United States are diverse and are clearly reflected in maternal and birth outcomes. In some minority populations, including African American and Native American communities the infant mortality rates exceed the non-Hispanic white rate by two and three times. On the other hand, Hispanic communities have birth outcomes which overall mirror the non-Hispanic white population; yet oftentimes Hispanic women enter pregnancy with obesity, overweight and diabetes. This session will provide an overview of the preconception health status of minority populations and highlight the gaps in preconception health and care data, information and services. Best practices and lessons learned for preconception health promotion efforts with minority communities will also be addressed.

Session Objectives: 1. Explain the preconception health status of minority populations in the United States 2. Describe the relationship between preconception health and care and perinatal outcomes in minority populations 3. Discuss community based strategies to promote preconception and interconception health and care among racial and ethnic minorities

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)