North Carolina’s Preconception Health Initiative Alvina Long Valentin, RN, MPH, NC DPH, Women’s Health Branch

NC Preconception Health Initiative  Preconception Health Leadership Team comprised of representatives from UNC, DPH, March of Dimes and Folic Acid Council  90 participants in Preconception Health Thinktank meetings  Participants include representatives from DPI, local health departments, public and private universities, DHHS, community based organizations, non-profit agencies and consumers  Preconception Health Initiative Minutes and other pertinent information are posted on everywomannc.org

Strategic Planning and Action Steps March December 2009  Series of 6 Think Tank meetings to collaboratively develop a state preconception health strategic plan  Examined quantitative and qualitative data, chose 2 focus areas of Pregnancy Intendedness and WOW - Women and Overweight/Obesity and Related Conditions

NC Strategic Plan Released November 2008 January 2008 – June workgroups meet separately - working on goals, strategies and potential partners

June 2008 – present  Restructuring from 2 workgroups to 4 workgroups meeting separately – working on prioritizing, action steps, potential partners and funding opportunities Moving from Strategies to Action

Preconception Health Initiative Workgroups 1. Increase Consumer and Community Awareness about Preconception Health 2. Ensure Quality Preconception Care and Practice among Health Care Providers and Community Outreach Workers 3. Expand Access and Affordability of Preconception Care 4. Advocate for Environmental and Policy Changes that Support Preconception Health

Quantitative Data Review Moving in the Right Direction NC Women Age 18 – 44 years: Intended Pregnancy: 52% (NC PRAMS 2006) 60% (NC PRAMS 2007) Takes folic acid at least 5 days a week: 29% (NC BRFSS 2007) Takes folic acid daily: 38% (NC BRFSS 2008)

Quantitative Data Review Moving in the Right Direction: NC Women Age 18 – 44 years Tobacco Use: 24% (NC BRFSS 2007) 21% (NC BRFSS 2008) Uninsured: 25% (NC BRFSS 2007) 22% (NC BRFSS 2008)

Quantitative Data Review Moving in the Right Direction NC Women Age 18 – 44 years: Case Rate per 100,000 Early Syphilis (PSEL) 7.2 (2007) 4.9 (2008) Gonorrhea451 (2007) (2008)

Quantitative Data Review 2007 – 2008 No Change or Slight Increase in 2008: NC Women Age 18 – 44 years Binge Drinking 11% Obesity 29% Overweight 28% Hypertension 10% NC BRFSS 2007, n/a in 2008 Diabetes 4% Poor Mental Health 28% Has Not Visited a Dental Clinic in Past Year 30% NC BRFSS 2008

Quantitative Data Review 2007 – 2008 Increase in 2008: NC Women Age 18 – 44 years Case Rate per 100,000 Chlamydia (2007) (2008) Living with HIV/AIDS (2007) (2008)

Update on Funding Opportunity  DPH and partnering agencies awarded funding by HRSA’s Maternal Child Health Bureau grant, First Time Motherhood/New Parent Initiative September 2008 – August 2010  Social marketing campaign that promotes having a reproductive life plan and utilization of the N.C. Family Health Resource Line

 Trainings for health care providers, community outreach workers and faith-based communities,– many educational/promotional materials developed  Priority population is men and women ages 15 – 29 who are disproportionately affected by adverse pregnancy outcomes, including racial/ethnic minorities.  The project area includes 6 northeastern counties – Edgecombe, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Nash and Northampton Update on Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Partnering Agencies N.C. Healthy Start Foundation N.C. Family Health Resource Line UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health, March of Dimes, Folic Acid Council Local health departments and WIC programs Center for Health and Healing UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center N.C. DPH Women’s Health Branch

Moving Forward  Continue workgroup action steps – meet on an annual basis with larger preconception health initiative  Continue to review women’s health indicators on an annual basis  Share findings with state preconception health initiative workgroups

Thank You for Your Support ! The NC Leadership Team Anna Bess Brown, MPH, State Program Director, March of Dimes Amy Mullenix, MSW, MSPH, State Coordinator, NC Folic Acid Campaign Cindy Haynes Morgan, MSA-PA, BS HEd, RHEd, Education and Community Program Coordinator, Diabetes Prevention and Control Branch, NC Division of Public Health Judy Ruffin, MPA, Program Manager, Women’s Health Branch, NC Division of Public Health Sarah Verbiest, MSW, MPH, DrPH, Executive Director of the University of North Carolina’s Center for Maternal and Infant Health Alvina Long Valentin, RN, MPH, Women’s Health Network Supervisor, Women’s Health Branch, NC Division of Public Health