Preconception health: a public health challenge

Minimal attention has been paid to preconception counseling even though good preconception health may be among the most important segments of a woman's life. Only in recent years have most healthcare providers, including obstetricians, realized that the initiation of health care and guidance after conception may be too late to prevent birth defects, low birthweight and infant mortality. The Oklahoma State Department of Health's Birth Defect Registry has developed a Women's Health Appraisal Questionnaire to assist physicians in identifying high-risk behaviors and other condition in the patient's environment that may be linked to detrimental outcomes to the fetus. The Women's Health Questionnaire can be offered to women of childbearing age in the waiting rooms of health clinics. The questionnaire takes about three to five minutes for the patient to complete. Free English and Spanish versions of the Women's Health Appraisal Questionnaire and other preconception tip booklets are being offered to physicians and health departments in Oklahoma. To order the preconception health questionnaire and booklets, there is an order form included in this journal.