Beyond prenatal care: a comprehensive vision of reproductive health

Abstract

The United States has lagged behind other developed nations with respect to infant and maternal mortality. In the past decade, the disparities between races and socioeconomic groups has actually widened. In response, local initiatives have sought to decrease infant mortality by enrolling women into prenatal care programs. These programs have focused solely on pregnancy, despite evidence that access to family planning, abortion, and gynecologic care is necessary to reduce both infant and maternal mortality. These prenatal care initiatives thus miss the opportunity to have an impact on some of the major public health issues facing women.