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Preconceptional Health Promotion

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Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive and Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract

In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published recommendations to impact poor pregnancy outcomes by addressing the health status of women and men before conception. While the theoretical advantages of preconceptional health promotion grow, the actual effectiveness of preconception interventions is largely untested as are the potential unintended consequences. The most robust research involves studies underscoring the advantages of preconception glucose control and folic acid supplementation in decreasing congenital anomalies. This chapter focuses on the evidence base for these interventions and addresses whether widespread adoption of them is likely to result in a narrowing or widening of health disparities in reproductive and perinatal outcomes. The issues involved are complex and conflicting theories arise about how an increasing emphasis on preconceptional care might influence disparities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine Division, Campus Box #7516, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7516, USA

    Merry-K. Moos

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  1. Merry-K. Moos
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  2. Amanda C. Bennett
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Correspondence to Merry-K. Moos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, West Taylor Street 1603, Chicago, 60612-4394, Illinois, USA

    Arden Handler

  2. School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, West Taylor Street 1603, Chicago, 60612-4394, Illinois, USA

    Joan Kennelly

  3. School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, West Taylor Street 1603, Chicago, 60612-4394, Illinois, USA

    Nadine Peacock

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Moos, MK., Bennett, A.C. (2011). Preconceptional Health Promotion. In: Handler, A., Kennelly, J., Peacock, N. (eds) Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive and Perinatal Outcomes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1499-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1499-6_5

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