Assessing preconception health in Australia to support better outcomes in the first 2000 days – A critical need for building a core indicator framework

In 2021, the Preconception Health Network Australia co-developed preconception health core indicators identified as critical to ensuring optimal maternal and child outcomes following conception. We conducted an audit of perinatal databases across each state and territory to identify whether preconception core indicator data were available. Seven health domains co-developed by the Preconception Health Network were mapped against the data collected in the perinatal databases. Indicator data were lacking across all seven health domains, with data missing for social determinants of health indicators. Better data linkage and developing a national evidence-based framework would allow ongoing monitoring of women's preconception health nationally.