Preconception care is a set of interventions
that identify and modify biomedical, behavioral, and social risks to
a woman’s health and future pregnancies. It includes both
prevention and management, emphasizing health issues that require
action before conception or very early in pregnancy for maximal
impact. The target population for preconception care is women of
reproductive age, although men are also targeted by several
components of preconception care. The overarching goal of
preconception care is to provide: 1) screening for risks, 2) health
promotion and education, and 3) interventions to address identified
risks. [Preconception
Health and Care, 2006, CDC At A Glance PDF]
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Date: April 12, 2006
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
