Improve Identification of Pregnant People at Risk
Introductory Paragraph
Drug, alcohol, and even tobacco use during pregnancy have lasting and sometimes detrimental effects on mothers and unborn babies. Prenatal use of substances can cause the infant to be born with very serious health problems, stillbirths, and in some cases can cause infant withdrawal symptoms, or dependency (1). Alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to what is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), characterized by low birth weight, cognitive deficits, increased risk of birth defects, and behavioral problems later in life (1). In 2012, almost 6% of pregnant women used illicit substances, 15.9% endorsed using tobacco, and over 8% drank alcohol(2). This accounted for well over a quarter of a million infants exposed to illicit substances in utero, over half a million exposed to alcohol, and one million exposed to tobacco. The detrimental impact of prenatal substance use continues to be a public health concern.
Key Information
ACEs and Substance Use During Pregnancy
Mothers who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences and are socioeconomically vulnerable have a greater risk of using illicit substances, tobacco, and alcohol (4). White women are more likely to use tobacco when compared to black and Hispanic populations (3). Black women are more likely to use illicit substances when compared to Hispanics and white women. This data that shows prenatal substance use is present among multiple races and ethnicities. Therefore, medical providers and public health professionals should intervene by identifying all mothers at risk for developing or continuing substance use during pregnancy.
Relevant Research
In this section, please capture any recent findings, reports, or data on the topic. Please also highlight any gaps or existing disparities. Please include references and links to the information so that we may add a footnote for the reader to find further information. Do we have any available research about discriminatory practices? Is there information about the value of access to educational opportunities?
Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies
Please list any federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations that support this topic or ones that could be a possible barrier. Are there laws or policies other states should know about and replicate for success?
Available Tools and Resources
Oftentimes, there are already great resources in the field that have been developed, but they are not housed in a single place. Please use this section to share information about those resources and drive the reader to that resource. It may be a worksheet, toolkit, fact sheet, framework/model, infographic, new technology, etc. I suggest no more than 5 really good links and a corresponding description for the reader. We also can use this section to highlight some of the great resources and programs at SAFE Project.
TR-Creating Improve Identification of a Women At Risk of having NAS Baby
Promising Practices
Please link to any best practice models or case studies that highlight creative/innovative or successful efforts in support of this strategy. Is there a community that does a really good job in this area that other communities should replicate? Please write a brief description and provide a link.