Each woman, man, and couple should be encouraged to have a reproductive life plan.
The target population for preconception health promotion is women, from menarche to menopause, who are capable of having children, even if they do not intend to conceive. To reach such a broad group, a lifespan perspective is needed, which is commonly used in efforts to reduce chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease. For example, persons are encouraged to consider the role of genetic and dietary factors in determining their risk for high cholesterol and to modify their behaviors according to cumulative individual risks (e.g., changes in diet, exercise, or medications). Similarly, a lifespan approach can be used to focus individual attention on reproductive health to reduce unintended pregnancies, age-related infertility, fetal exposures to teratogens, and to improve women's health and pregnancy outcomes.
Certain researchers, providers, and health-care advocates have suggested developing a reproductive health life plan for young women and couples as they enter their reproductive years. However, reproductive health life plans have not been systematically implemented and evaluated. Implementing such a reproductive health life plan will require a change in provision of health services and health promotion.
