Greetings from the Improving Pregnancy Outcomes (IPO) Committee!

Come join us at the APHA 135th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Nov. 3-7, 2007, which focuses on "Politics, Policy, & Public Health."

Last year in Boston, our committee successfully submitted a Policy Position Paper that was adopted by APHA entitled “Reducing Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Preterm and Low Birthweight Births”.  As you will see below, the Improving Pregnancy Outcomes Committee will again play a highly visible role at this year’s meetings.  Come join our dynamic committee which is committed to improving the health of mothers and babies.

IPO Committee Business Meeting:

At this yearly planning meeting, we will set our priorities and goals for the coming year and plan sessions for 2008.  You do not have to be a member of the IPO Committee to attend the meeting.  As always, new members are welcome! (Please refer to the program for exact time and location).

IPO Podium and Poster Sessions, (Washington, D.C. 2007)

We will have three IPO podium sessions and one poster session

PODIUM SESSIONS

• 3049.0 - SCI: Monday, Nov. 5, 2007: 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
  The Role of Politics and Public Policy In Improving Pregnancy Outcomes

This session will present research on a variety of state and national programs and policies that directly or indirectly affect pregnancy outcomes, including an update on the National Healthy Start evaluation.  The importance of public-private partnerships in preventing preterm birth will also be examined.

• 3342.0 - SCI: Monday, Nov. 5, 2007: 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  Disparities In Pregnancy Outcomes: The Role of Politics and Public Policy

This session will present new work focused on systems-level innovations for addressing disparities in pregnancy outcomes.  Presentations will center on patient/provider perspectives on the quality of preconceptional, interconceptional, and prenatal care, as well as evaluations of community-based intervention programs for addressing disparities.

• 5181.0 - SCI: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007: 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  Improving Pregnancy Outcomes: Cutting Edge Research

This session presents cutting edge research on health literacy and beliefs, mental health issues, and new medical treatments to reduce adverse birth outcomes among socially and/or medically high-risk pregnant women. Attendees will gain understanding of emerging practices that may assist their efforts in reducing preterm birth and low birthweight.

POSTER SESSION

• 4274.0 - PS-SCI: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007: 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
  Improving Pregnancy Outcomes: Politics, Disparities, and Cutting Edge Research

This poster session will present work centered on improving pregnancy outcomes in high-risk populations that disproportionately suffer from poor birth outcomes.  Posters present results of new research on labor induction, modifiable risk factors, and community-based and policy-based interventions for improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing disparities.

The Improving Pregnancy Outcomes Committee is an active committee in the Maternal and Child Health Section.  We welcome your participation and input.  If you would like more information about our work or would like to become a member, please email one of the committee co-chairs. 

With Warmest Regards from your co-chairs,

Judith Katzburg        Tyan Parker-Dominguez       Janine Lewis
jkatzbur@ucla.edu    tyanpark@usc.edu              jlewis6@uic.edu