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Preconception Health and Health Care Update
Greetings
This is the 28th issue of a bi-monthly communication for individuals interested in improving the health of women and infants through preconception health and health care. A new e-newsletter will be launched in the coming months by the University of North Carolina, Center for Maternal and Infant Health. Watch for a notice to subscribers. This e-newsletter is archived. Find back issues of this e-enewsletter and more information about improving preconception health and health care at We welcome your readership and contributions in the future. |
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Sarah Verbiest Takes on Role as Advisor to CDC for Preconception Initiative
Please welcome Sarah Verbiest, DrPH, MSW, MPH, to the position as senior advisory consultant to the CDC for the national Preconception Health and Health Care (PCHHC) Initiative, effective June 20, 2012.
Dr. Verbiest is Executive Director, UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health and Research Assistant Professor in the OB/GYN Department at the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She brings new, young, dynamic leadership to the movement to improve women's health and pregnancy outcomes through preconception heath and health care. As she describes it, she was "mentored by the mother of preconception health, Merry-K Moos." She has worked on the issue of preconception health through programmatic, policy, and leadership activities for more than 10 years.
Her leadership in North Carolina is notable. To learn more, click here. Taking work to the next level, Dr. Verbiest broadened her organizing efforts from the state to a regional level through the development of the Every Woman Southeast (EWSE) Initiative among eight states. She also has been active at the national level, participating in the PCHHC Initiative Steering Committee, as well as the Consumer Work Group. She serves as a member of the North Carolina team for the HRSA / ASTHO Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative/COIN.
Her outstanding leadership, coalition-building, writing, speaking, and organizational skills will be appreciated in this new role with the PCHHC Initiative. Watch for her style to be reflected in the next e-newsletter.
Kay Johnson recently ended her six year tenure in the role of Senior Advisor to the PCHHC Initiative and stepped down from position co-chair of the Select Panel. Kay will continue as volunteer co-chair for the Policy Finance Work Group of the Initiative. |
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Yes, Preconception Health Can be Improved through Implementation of the Affordable Care Act
The Supreme Court did not declare the ACA unconstitutional. This means that millions of women will have coverage of clinical preventive services without cost sharing starting in August 2012. The IOM recommended services include well-woman visits (with preconception care), family planning, and other effective services to improve the health of women and the outcomes of preganancy. Even more important is that 1 in 5 women who are uninsured today will be eligible for affordable coverage in January 2012. Many observers are concerned that states will not take action to expand Medicaid to 133% of poverty; however, the incentives for states to do so will be better than ever.
Many websites offer information and updates on the SCOTUS decision. Here are three places to start:
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Louise Floyd promotion, will continue key position on PCHHC Initiative
Dr. Louise Floyd, R.N., D.S.N., has been appointed to the Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (DBDDD), Office of the Director, as Associate Director for Program and Planning.
Since July 2011, Louise has served as Special Advisor on Program Development to DBDDD. In this capacity she has provided technical support in the development of a National Preconception Health and Health Care (PCHHC) Initiative and has coordinated programmatic and scientific preconception health promotion activities working with colleagues in the Division of Reproductive Health and the Women's Health Committee at CDC as well as many external partners. In her new position, Louise will continue her work on the national PCHHC Initiative including finalizing an Action Plan based on recommendations from national PCHHC work groups as well as assisting NCBDDD and DBDDD leadership by advising, developing, and coordinating programmatic and scientific activities in the fields of birth defects and developmental disabilities, preconception health, and women's health. She is CDC lead contact for the PCHHC Initiative and CDC liaison for the Clinical Work Group of the Initiative. |
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 | | Kay Johnson transitions out of role with PCHHC Initiative. |
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