Pregnancy outcomes in an initiative preceeding onset of prenatal care.

abouT one in Twelve infanTs born in rhode island during 2004–2006 were low birth weight and nearly one in ten were premature. These conditions greatly increase the risk of perinatal complications and of disability and poor health across the life course. Nationally, there is evidence of preconception care effectiveness for screening/referral of reproductive risks, folate supplementation, and treatment of metabolic conditions. Research evidence indicates that improvements in birth outcomes require pregnancy readiness and appropriate antenatal care, and that low birth weight and prematurity reductions cannot be achieved solely by improving access to reproductive services and prenatal care. 3,4 The 2005 National Preconception Care Summit recommended the evaluation of interconception care and care coordination models for women with high social and medical risks. 5