Through a two-year collaborative effort, the
CDC has successfully aligned the efforts of a number of its external
partners and internal programs. An internal workgroup on
preconception care, with participants representing 22 programs from
across CDC, was convened in 2003-2004. On June 21 and 22, 2005 and
in partnership with Department of Health and Human Services and 35
national professional organizations, CDC hosted a
National Summit on Preconception to
obtain a better understanding of current programs, knowledge and
practices related to preconception care and to allow practitioners
to share their experiences with other participants. The Summit
was attended by over 400 professionals; practitioners from 68
communities
presented
their work at the Summit. On June 22 and 23, 2005,
CDC convened a Select Panel on Preconception Care, which included experts from
a variety of national organizations concerned about the health of
women, infants, and families. Together, the CDC internal workgroup
and the Select Panel developed a set of 10 recommendations for
improving preconception health and care. The recommendations were
published on April 21, 2006, in the
MMWR Recommendations
and Reports, Volume 55, No. RR-6. A
summary of the recommendations, including goals, vision and
definition of preconception care are also available.
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Date: April 12, 2006
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities