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Semin Reprod Med 2022; 40(03/04): 199-204
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750132
Review Article

Preconception Health in the Workplace: An Opportunity to Support Equitable Access to Education

Briony Hill
1   Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Melissa Savaglio
1   Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Claire Blewitt
1   Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Kiran Ahuja
2   School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
,
Pragya Kandel
1   Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Seonad Madden
2   School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
,
Andrew P. Hills
2   School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
,
Helen Skouteris
1   Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
› Author Affiliations Funding B.H. is funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career Fellowship (GNT1120477). P.K. and S.M. are funded by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend and RTP Fee-Offset Scholarship.
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Abstract

Preconception health is a key determinant of pregnancy and offspring outcomes, but challenges reaching people during preconception are frequently cited by health professionals. This article highlights the workplace as an important setting for promoting equitable access to preconception health-related information and education to support optimal well-being before pregnancy. Workplaces can support equitable access to education and knowledge for preconception health: (1) due to the high engagement of reproductive-age women in the workforce and (2) by reaching vulnerable or high-risk population groups who may otherwise face barriers to accessing preconception health information. Literature that explicitly investigates workplace delivery of preconception health promotion programs is scarce. However, workplace health promotion more broadly is associated with improved corporate competitiveness, productivity, and strengthened employee–employer relationships. Workplace health promotion activities may also address social determinants of health and improve employee well-being outcomes. The opportunity for workplaces to benefit from an increase in the bottom line makes workplace health promotion programs more attractive, but organizational support and stakeholder engagement are needed to facilitate the design and delivery of successful workplace preconception health education programs. Such programs have the potential to facilitate health gains for women and their families.

Keywords

preconception health - education - knowledge - workplace - women's health


Publication History

Article published online:
27 June 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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