10.1 The Importance of Maternal, Infant, and Child Health

Question 1

Importance of Maternal Care

Answer 1

• Statistics for maternal, infant, and child health are indicators of effectiveness of disease prevention and health promotion

(Community Health Effectiveness)
- Healthy mothers, infants, and children are connected to healthy communities

(Morbidity/Mortality Reduction)
- Attending to unintended pregnancies, subpar prenatal care, poor nutrition, maternal drug use, poverty, and inadequate education can lower mortality/morbidity rates in moms and infants.

(Community Health Costs)
- Early intervention through education and prevention reduces need for costly social assistance to these same groups later in life.

Question 2

Maternal Health

Answer 2

• Includes childbearing years including pre-pregnancy periods and those caring for young children.
• How childbirth impacts a woman is an indicator of overall health.
• Maternal mortality rates are a measure of ill health for pregnant women.

Question 3

Preconception Healthcare

Answer 3

• Medical care provided to men and women to promote health prior to conception.
• Occurs before mother gets pregnant and addresses medical/behavioral risks to ensure safe pregnancy

Question 4

Prenatal Health

Answer 4

• Medical care provided from conception until birth.
• Usually assesses risks, treats complications, and monitors growth and development in both mother and fetus.

Question 5

Categorical

Answer 5

• Programs available only available to those who can be categorized in a group based on disease, age, financial need, and geography.
• The issue with this is some patients may fall through the cracks if they do not meet eligibility criteria for specific programs.

Question 6

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)