An intersection of women's and perinatal health: The role of chronic conditions

This paper has three objectives: 1) to review data on the prevalence of chr onic disease among women of reproductive age; 2) to establish that chronic diseases are an important influence on perinatal health; and 3) to emphasiz e opportunities where women's health and perinatal health can intersect. Th is involves broadening strategies aimed at improving perinatal health to em phasize a woman's overall health, regardless of childbearing status or plan s, and using perinatal health care as a bridge to ongoing care for women. T hese issues are discussed in the context of a continuum often used to organ ize perinatal health interventions.