Maternal Health Awareness Day is observed on January 23rd to raise awareness about maternal health and the United States’ rising maternal mortality crisis. This year’s theme is Know What’s at Stake, which emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing maternal health challenges.
On this Maternal Health Awareness Day, the Office of the California Surgeon General released their Preconception Medical Assessment (PreMa), an easy-to-use quiz designed to prioritize maternal health before conception across California and beyond.
Why Maternal Health Matters
Maternal health is an important indicator of society’s well-being. Despite advancements in healthcare, preventable maternal deaths still happen, emphasizing the need for proactive healthcare interventions like PreMa. Chronic disease significantly increases pregnancy complications, highlighting the importance of early detection and management. Addressing disparities in maternal outcomes, especially among Black women, is important for achieving equitable healthcare access and improving overall maternal health.
PreMa is a simple, eight-question quiz designed to identify health needs before pregnancy. By asking essential questions about pre-existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes, people can discover potential health issues early on. This proactive approach helps ensure moms receive the right care before pregnancy, promoting healthier outcomes and safer pregnancies.
PreMa was made by experts who studied what questions to ask to find health issues early. They used a special method called the Delphi technique to make sure the questions are easy to understand and beneficial. People across California tested PreMa to make sure it works for everyone, regardless of language or background.
Thinking About Having a Baby?
You can take PreMa now to help you understand how your current health and health history can affect your future pregnancy.
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