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Healthy People 2030 focuses on women staying healthy before, during, and after pregnancy.

Primary prevention is action to avoid or remove a health problem in a mother or infant. For example, the mother should eat a regular diet. Theoretically, this may contribute to better future food tolerance, both from the point of view of allergies and the child’s taste preferences.

Secondary prevention is detecting a mother or infant’s health problem early. For example, appropriate treatment for food allergy applied early protects a small child against exacerbations of the disease or its full-blown recurrence.

Tertiary prevention is action to reduce the chronic effects of a health problem in a mother or infant. This level of prevention also includes activities aimed at improving the quality of life of a sick person. 

Breastfeeding is a very healthy option for mothers and infants. Breastfed infants have a reduced risk of respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma. 

Prevention programs also aim to make young mothers aware of the need to change their lifestyles or habits and build certain beliefs that encourage them to make healthy choices and decisions.

It is necessary to reach all young mothers as soon as possible with information about the benefits of vaccinations, changing bad eating habits, or increasing physical activity.

Reference

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Matneral Health in America. Retrieved from https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/aspe-files/264076/healthy-women-healthy-pregnancies-healthy-future-action-plan_0  [PDF – 11.8 MB]

@HealthGov