The Los Angeles Post

California Surgeon General Highlights Recently Released Preconception Medical Assessment (PreMA) Tool to Support Health in AAPI Communities

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SACRAMENTO – As part of the Strong Start & Beyond movement, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos recently released the Preconception Medical Assessment (PreMA), a simple and easy-to-use eight-question quiz that helps people understand how their current health status and history affects a future pregnancy.

Today’s Ethnic Media Briefing

Thank you to those that were able to join us for today’s press event with the California Surgeon General.

Please find the links to the recording and the Media Kit with additional resources below:
“Health begins long before pregnancy,” said Dr. Ramos. ” PreMA is a conversation starter that can be taken anytime anywhere outside of the healthcare setting, encouraging early actions to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and baby.”
Why PreMA is Critical for AAPI Communities

Data show that 1 in 3 women of reproductive age in the U.S. has at least one chronic health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The PreMA quiz seeks to normalize proactive health discussions while emphasizing family and community values that are central to many AAPI cultures.

PreMA is a conversation starter that can be taken anytime anywhere and encourages early actions to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and baby. While California continues its work to address maternal health disparities across the state, including efforts from the California Department of Public Health and Department of Health Care Services, PreMA empowers people to act now.
Key Features of PreMA

  • User-Friendly Format: Eight simple, validated questions in English and Spanish on an individual’s current health status, including heart conditions and blood pressure.
  • Community-Based Delivery: PreMA is available online for free and can be easily downloaded, printed, and shared at cultural centers, grocery stores, and places of worship to meet people where they are.
  • Resource Connections: Recommendations are provided for follow-up care as well as local, state, and national healthcare services, helping individuals find culturally competent care.
Voices of Support from Community Leaders

Health advocates, clinicians, and community leaders support the rollout of PreMA:

  • Bernadette Lim, MD, MS, Founder and Executive Director of Freedom Community Clinic: “PreMA can help our communities plan ahead for safer, healthier, and happier futures. By being able to educate and raise awareness, individuals and families are able to feel empowered, proactive, and intentional in their birthing experiences.”
  • Hayley Miller, MD, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist: “By engaging people in their healthcare before pregnancy, PreMA will lay the foundation for healthy mothers and babies.”
Building Trust Through Community Media:

Ethnic media outlets are a trusted resource for AAPI communities, especially for in-language news and health updates. This was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many AAPI families relied on media tailored to their cultural and linguistic needs to navigate rapidly changing guidelines.

“The success of any public health initiative depends on the trust of the community,” noted Yurina Melara, author of The Power of Ethnic Media. “By collaborating with ethnic media, we amplify the voices of trusted messengers who are vital in delivering life-saving health information.”

Trusted messengers and community leaders are encouraged to help make PreMA available in their communities by sharing it online or printing it out for those considering pregnancy.

Advancing Health Equity for a Safer Tomorrow

The PreMA tool is a vital component of California’s Maternal Health Blueprint, which aims to reduce maternal mortality 50% by December 2026. By supporting early health awareness and access, the Strong Start & Beyond movement helps to strengthen maternal health outcomes for African American communities and ensure a healthier future for mothers, pregnant people, and babies across the state.

For more information on PreMA and how to access the tool, visit PreMAca.org.