To build awareness about the links between maternal and child health and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) amongst obstetricians and perinatologists
Expected impact
Six workshops conducted at larger conferences worldwide
600-900 leading obstetricians and perinatologists will become aware and advocate for the cause
Development of teaching resources and a handbook focusing on the links between maternal and child health and non-communicable diseases
Project details
Diabetes in pregnant women, also called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), is a serious condition that can have severe negative health outcomes for the mother and child. Not only can GDM cause immediate morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and childbirth; it can also increase the risk of development of diabetes type 2 later in life for the mother and the child.
The information about GDM and its consequences on maternal child health are not widely known amongst health professionals and public health experts in many countries in the developing world. Knowledge about how to build and integrate GDM services will benefit the dual agenda of improving maternal and child health as well as address the prevention and care of NCDs and such efforts will require greater attention in the future as the prevalence of GDM increases.
Approach
Together with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) will work to enhance knowledge about GDM among the people dealing with pregnant women in their everyday life, obstetricians and perinatologists, in order to improve the health of pregnant women and their children.
FIGO is a global organisation that is focusing attention on the developing world and low resource communities to improve maternal health and outcomes. Its mission is to promote the wellbeing of women and to raise the standards of practice in obstetrics and gynecology. Among other things, FIGO is dedicated to the improvement of women's health and rights and to the reduction of disparities in health care for women and newborns.
During large conferences on obstetrics and gynecology in the coming three years, FIGO and WDF will organise six workshops in order to sensitise and improve the knowledge among obstetricians and perinatologists about the subject. Many topics relating to NCDs will be touched upon.
Firstly, an introduction to diabetes and the emerging burden of other NCDS will be given to the participants. There will be a particular focus on the future burden of NCDs.
Secondly, information will be provided on how maternal health during pregnancy and early childhood can determine and programme adult health. Among other things related to this, there will be focus on what impact maternal malnutrition (both under- and over nutrition) during pregnancy has for the future health of the offspring. .
Thirdly, the participants will obtain knowledge on how to prevent, screen and care for diabetes amongst pregnant women as well as the importance of follow-up of these women and children to prevent future NCDs.
Lastly, the overall message will be that focus and action on these issues are also necessary to improve pregnancy outcome by reducing maternal and childhood morbidity and mortality.
In addition, FIGO will create a simple user friendly handbook focusing on the links between maternal and child health and non-communicable diseases. The issues touched upon at the workshops will be included in the handbook and will contain practical suggestions on the links and how they can be addressed through public health care.
