Rossin-Slater Maya author Columbia University. Economics Brellochs Christel author Columbia University. National Center for Children in Poverty originator contributor text Reports New York Columbia University. National Center for Children in Poverty, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University 2012 In recent years, the importance of women's preconception health and health care (PCHHC) for improving birth outcomes, especially among high-risk populations, has been highlighted by numerous researchers, advocates, and policymakers. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Panel on Preconception Care issued recommendations for improving preconception health and health care. Throughout this report, we refer to preconception health and health care as efforts to promote women's wellbeing and health before, during, and between pregnancies and throughout their childbearing years. A growing body of evidence points to the importance of a woman's physical, mental, environmental, and behavioral health over her life course for her children's birth outcomes, and consequent child development and later life wellbeing. The Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) initiative can play an important role in advancing PCHHC, benefiting women, young children, and families in their communities. Public health Women's studies