About one in twelve infants born in Rhode Island during2004–2006 were low birth weight and nearly one in ten werepremature.1 These conditions greatly increase the risk of perinatalcomplications and of disability and poor health across thelife course. Nationally, there is evidence of preconception careeffectiveness for screening/referral of reproductive risks, folatesupplementation, and treatment of metabolic conditions.2 Researchevidence indicates that improvements in birth outcomesrequire pregnancy readiness and appropriate antenatal care,and that low birth weight and prematurity reductions cannotbe achieved solely by improving access to reproductive servicesand prenatal care.3,4 The 2005 National Preconception CareSummit recommended the evaluation of interconception careand care coordination models for women with high social andmedical risks.5
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