Preconception research priorities for Scotland identified by Network amid declining birth rates
A new project aimed at tackling Scotland's falling birth rates and improving pre-pregnancy care has published its core findings
Titled ‘Research Priorities for Preconception Health in Scotland: A Multidisciplinary Call to Action’, the project has been driven by the Scottish Preconception Health Research Network (SPHRN), a collaborative hub of researchers and clinicians focused on health before pregnancy.
SPHRN operates as a specialised subgroup within the NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Reproductive Health & Childbirth Specialty Group.
The research priorities report is intended to “support evidence‐based policy and practice, improve reproductive and long‐term health outcomes, and contribute to reducing health inequalities for current and future generations”.
It was co-authored by the Speciality Group’s Champion Support Manager Anushree (Annie) Ganguly; Lead for SPHRN, Dr Sinéad Currie; PhD student and Nutritionist of Abertay University, Emma Brough; MSc Psychology student of the University of Stirling, Laura Ryan; MSc Psychology student, also of the University of Stirling, Kathleen Renwick; and Development Officer at ASH Scotland, Beth Rose.
The project identified four themes, 21 questions, and seven overarching principles, which its authors believe should now be integrated into all preconception health research in Scotland.
Outlining the benefits of these findings, the published paper states: “Advancements in these research areas can help governments, policymakers, national health services, education sectors, economies, individuals, and families optimise health and outcomes for future generations.”
The findings come against a backdrop on inequalities with authors highlighting “the gap in healthy life expectancy is 24 years between the most and least deprived women in Scotland and life expectancy in the poorest areas has decreased since 2010”.
It states: “While international attention to preconception health has increased, context‐specific evidence to inform effective practice and policy in Scotland remains limited. This gap is concerning given declining birth rates, widening inequalities, and increasing prevalence of adverse maternal and infant outcomes.”
The paper details opportunities to improve health before pregnancy, noting that “supporting women and men to optimise health behaviours before pregnancy presents an opportunity to improve subsequent health outcomes for parents and children for current and future generations”.
The project found that recent Scottish data has served to underline “the importance of improving preconception health and addressing inequalities,” citing figures from 2024/25 which reported that almost a quarter (24.6%) of maternities occurred among women living in the most deprived areas—a factor consistently associated with poorer outcomes across the maternity pathway.
Work was therefore undertaken by the authors to identify key areas for preconception health research in Scotland—first in the form of a review of published literature reviews and relevant Scottish policy and public health guidance to identify evidence gaps and preliminary research themes.
This was followed by a national online survey—capturing views from members of the public and stakeholders—the findings of which were subsequently refined through an in‐person, multi‐stakeholder workshop involving members of the public, researchers, healthcare professionals, third sector representatives, and policy stakeholders.
As a result, the authors were able to identify four overarching research priority themes:
- Adopting a life‐course approach to preconception health
- Reducing neurodevelopmental risks and improving awareness of preconception behaviours;
- Addressing health inequalities and ensuring equitable access to care
- Enhancing the involvement of men, partners, and shared responsibility for preconception health
The study concluded: “This co‐designed research prioritisation project identifies clear and actionable priorities for advancing pre-conception health research in Scotland.
“Addressing these priorities will support evidence‐based policy and practice, improve reproductive and long‐term health outcomes, and contribute to reducing health inequalities for current and future generations.
“Whilst this does not represent the vast array of required research, it prioritises the key areas which are timely and essential to support the growing political and health interest in preconception health in Scotland.”
The authors are now calling on researchers across Scotland and beyond “to work collaboratively to advance contextually relevant preconception health research”.
They believe that “these themes and questions offer a clear, evidence‐informed agenda that can guide study design and reduce duplication of effort, particularly once refined further using frameworks such as PICO”—a tool used in evidence-based research to break down broad questions into structured, searchable components.
Reflecting on the project, Dr Currie said: “We are pleased to share our findings and hope that they can inform research priorities in this vital area for Scotland, both now and in the future.
“Stronger focus also has to be placed on both preconception policy and practice amid declining birth rates and heightened inequalities—and Scotland must heed the call to action.”
Members of the public and individuals with lived experience of preconception health were actively involved throughout the project, included interpretation of findings and development of future research directions, helping to ensure that priorities reflected lived experience as well as professional perspectives.
The Scottish Preconception Health Research Network will be collaborating on next year’s Reproductive Health & Childbirth Speciality Group conference in Stirling, with details yet to be announced.
Publication date: 13th November 2026
