Health Care Task Force on Pre- and Inter-Conception Care

Background

"Since 1996, progress to improve pregnancy outcomes including low birth weight, premature birth, and infant mortality has slowed, in part, because of inconsistent delivery and implementation of interventions before pregnancy to detect, treat, and help women modify behaviors, health conditions, and risk factors that contribute to adverse maternal and infant outcomes"¹

Purpose

Over the past three years, Aurora Women’s Health Services brought together a Task Force committed to working together with a strong academic partner to address the diverse needs of Milwaukee County women. The Task Force members conducted assessment activities, created a strategic plan to move a women's health care initiative forward, and submitted an implementation grant request to the Wsconsin Partnership Program.

Capacity Building Goal

Develop culturally appropriate strategies to improve women’s pre-/inter-conception care in Milwaukee County.

Completed Objectives  

• Complete a formative assessment including provider surveys and healthcare consumer focus groups to collect accurate information on current pre-/inter-conception care in Milwaukee County and an understanding of gaps in services; 
• Develop an action plan designed to improve women’s access to primary, preventive pre-inter-conception; and
• Disseminated findings at nationwide conferences and local forums,
• Applied for funding to continue development grant as an implementation grant titled Healthy Mom Healthy Next Baby. 

Timeline

March 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008

Funding Source

Wisconsin Partnership Fund for a Healthy Future

Task Force Steerling Committe

Aurora Women’s Health Services:

• Claudette Hamm, R.N., M.H.S.A.*
• Chris Van Mullem, R.N.*  

Center for Urban Population Health

• Jessica Bergstrom, M.P.H.
• Melissa Lemke, M.S.

Task Force Members

Aurora Family Service:

• Jane Pirsig  

Aurora Health Care

• Marge Stearns, M.P.H.

Columbia St. Mary's

• Barbara L. Gesme, R.N.

Black Health Coalition:

• Rachel Morgan, R.N., B.S.N.

Milwaukee Health Department:

• Karen Michalski, M.A., M.S.W.
• Jill paradowski, R.N., M.S.

Presentations and Publications to Date

Mason, T., Hamm, C., VanMullem, C. (2009). Improving Outcomes Through Pre- and Inter-Conception Health.  Presented at the Healthy Babies Summitt and Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) State Conference in Waukesha, Wisconsin (October).

Bergstrom, J.P., Hamm, C., VanMullem, C., Lemke, M. (2008).  Pre- and inter-conception healthcare needs and experiences of urban women.  Presented at the American Public Health Association meeting in San Diego, California (October).

*Indicates co-chairs of the healthcare task force

¹Attash HK, Johnson, K, Adams M, Cordero JF, Howse J, Time to Act on Missed Opportunities to Improve Perinatal Outcomes: preconception care, Maternal Child Health Journal, 2006.