Preconception Health and Care in Adolescents

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Preconception Health and Care in Adolescents

• Nan Streeter
• AMCHP Web Conference
• September 27, 2007

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What is Preconception Health and Care (PHC)?

• PHC is a national initiative to improve pregnancy
  outcomes by starting care BEFORE pregnancy

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What is Preconception Health and Care (PHC)?

• The goal is to improve the health of women
  adolescent girls and couples, before conception
  of a first or subsequent pregnancy.

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PHC Recommendations

• The recommendations focus on changes in
• consumer knowledge
• clinical practice
• public health programs
• health-care financing
• data and research activities

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PHC Recommendations

• Can be found on web at http//www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pr
  eview/mmwrhtml/rr5506a1.htm

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Why PHC in Adolescence?

• PHC really is primary care and not only about
  childbearing
• PHC is about planning, preparing, knowing,
  deciding, doing, being proactive for ones
  future.

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Why PHC in Adolescence?

• For adolescents, it is an opportunity for
• Education and awareness
• Assessment of risky behaviors
• Preparation for parenthood (or not)

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Why PHC in Adolescence?

• Adolescents are establishing behaviors that may
  impact them their entire lives
• Smoking, drug use?
• Sexual activity?
• Adequate physical activity and healthy eating?
• Mental health?

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Get em young!

• PHC is really about ensuring future health
  regardless of pregnancy
• Adolescents plan for college, trade school, jobs,
  why not plan for future health for themselves and
  any children they may have?

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PHC

• Results in
• Healthier mothers and babies
• Healthier families
• Reduction in chronic diseases, such as diabetes,
  hypertension, obesity, etc.