title: Interpregnancy care.
abstract: The aim of interconception care is to provide women who have had a prior adverse pregnancy outcome with optimal care in order to reduce risks that may affect the woman׳s health and any future birth she may choose to have. National recommendations call for action, and evidence supports specific clinical interventions. The need for interconception care is documented in national and state survey and surveillance data. Chronic diseases and behavioral risks affect the health of millions of U.S. women of childbearing age. Interconception care demonstration projects have used a "disease management" approach that includes medical care and case management. The increasing use of postpartum visits, as a gateway to interconception interventions, is essential. The Affordable Care Act emphasis on preventive services and expanded health coverage for women offers new opportunities to finance interconception care. Improved and enhanced clinical practices, along with the engagement of women, in interconception care have the potential to improve birth outcomes and reduce disparities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Geisel Medical School at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH.
authors.forename: Kay A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Departments of Health Policy and Management, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Louisiana State University, 2020 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA. Electronic address: rgee@lsuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Rebekah E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health