Although the point estimates show a decline over time in the percentage of women who report discussing preconception health with a health care worker prior to pregnancy, there were no statistically significant differences between these annual estimates, and the test for trend also was not statistically significant.

These data are current as of year end 2022. New data is expected by the end of 2023.

Connecticut Department of Public Health; March of Dimes; Connecticut Hospital Association; State Department of Education; Connecticut Department of Social Services; Connecticut Department of Children and Families; Commission on Children; State Legislature; faith-based organizations; community health centers; other health care facilities and providers; local boards of education; health professional associations; organizations and coalitions that support women, preconception and pregnancy care; community service providers that address women and families; schools of public health, allied health, nursing, and medicine.

Preconception health refers to the health of women and men during their reproductive years, which are the years they can have a child. It focuses on taking steps now to protect the health of a baby they might have sometime in the future.

However, all women and men can benefit from preconception health, whether or not they plan to have a baby one day. This is because part of preconception health is about people getting and staying healthy overall, throughout their lives. In addition, no one expects an unplanned pregnancy. But it happens often, with about half of all pregnancies in the United States being unplanned.

Preconception health care is the medical care a woman or man receives from the doctor or other health professionals that focuses on the parts of health that have been shown to increase the chance of having a healthy baby.

Preconception health care is different for every person, depending on his or her unique needs. Based on a person’s individual health, the doctor or other health care professional will suggest a course of treatment or follow-up care as needed.

Preconception health is important for every woman―not just those planning pregnancy. It means taking control and choosing healthy habits. Preconception health is about making a plan for the future and taking the steps to get there.

Centers for Disease Control, Preconception Health and Health Care http://www.cdc.gov/preconception/overview.html

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) provides reproductive health services through twelve family planning centers. PPSNE served a total of 44,889 patients of childbearing age, 60% of whom were women and 15% were teens with incomes at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Of the 12,366 female patients who received a preventative reproductive health exam 11,334, or 92% participated in the development of a Reproductive Life Plan.

The March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter initiated Every Woman Connecticut in January 2016. Every Woman Connecticut is striving to make pre- and interconception care an integral part of routine care within different health care settings and in non-clinical interactions using new tools, structures, and processes. A primary goal of this initiative is to give babies in every community a healthy start and ensure that all women and men are as healthy as they can possibly be throughout the course of their life, whether they want to start a family or not. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is a key partner in this initiative.

SHIP Strategies:

Develop or adapt a media campaign about the importance of preconception health

Educate providers on the importance of preconception health, through a partnership between the Department of Public Health and the Department of Social Services.

Explore the impact of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, and identify mechanisms for addressing the issue.

Support and monitor school district compliance with mandatory Health Education curriculum