An intersection of women’s and perinatal health: the role of chronic conditions

This paper has three objectives: to review data on the prevalence of chronic disease among women of reproductive age, to establish that chronic diseases are an important influence on perinatal health, and to emphasize opportunities where women's health and perinnatal health can intersect.

Abstract

This paper has three objectives: 1) to review data on the prevalence of chronic disease among women of reproductive age; 2) to establish that chronic diseases are an important influence on perinatal health; and 3) to emphasize opportunities where women's health and perinatal health can intersect. This involves broadening strategies aimed at improving perinatal health to emphasize a woman's overall health, regardless of childbearing status or plans, and using perinatal health care as a bridge to ongoing care for women. These issues are discussed in the context of a continuum often used to organize perinatal health interventions.