New program aims to decrease pregnant smokers
NORWICH – In its ongoing effort to reduce the number of women who smoke during pregnancy, the Chenango County Department of Public Health is teaming up with the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program to provide an education incentive for pregnant women to stop smoking.
According to the Chenango Health Department, three out of five women in Chenango County smoke during pregnancy which greatly increases the risk of birth defects and the likelihood of dangerous health conditions for newborns.
But the hope is to put a stop to that, said Chenango DOH Director of Patient Services Darlene Gramstad, and reduce those numbers to zero.
“Looking at our numbers, our 2012 statistics show that Chenango County was among the highest in the state for women who smoke – 35 percent in the county while it’s only 8.5 percent statewide,” said Gramstad. “We have identified that there is a great need for education and outreach on this issue in Chenango County. We want the emphasis to be on preventing chronic diseases, starting with the unborn child and then working with mom to keep her from smoking again.”
To assist in the effort, Gramstad and her colleagues are working closely with Baby and Me, a national health program devised to encourage and empower women to quit smoking during pregnancy and refrain from tobacco use even after giving birth. Gramstad said the goal is to reach as many women as possible through this new initiative.
“The real emphasis these days is on use of evidence based programs,” she said, noting that Baby and Me has the data and research to support its methods.
The Baby and Me program uses cessation support tailored for pregnant women, particularly low-income women (the largest group of smokers during pregnancy, according to Baby and Me). In addition, Baby and Me and the county Health Department aim to work with other local entities including UHS Chenango Memorial, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Head Start to broaden their outreach.
Mothers enrolled in Baby and Me are referred by their physician, clinic, hospital, health department or by word of mouth. The first visit will get them more information about the program, Gramstad explained. Subsequent visits monitor the mother's carbon monoxide levels to ensure she is still smoke-free. If she hasn't smoked after six postpartum visits, she will receive a $27 monthly voucher to purchase diapers for up to 6-12 months postpartum, pending program funding.
Although there is a financial incentive, Gramstad said the real incentive for mothers is tending to the health of themselves and their newborn.
The Chenango County Board of Supervisors last week threw support behind the initiative, unanimously passing a resolution to provide $3,880 for training and technical support for the Baby and Me curriculum, as well as testing equipment and database of the program. Funding will provide training for two full-time nurses and a health educator at the Public Health Department.
Gramstad said the Chenango Health Department has an objective to decrease the number of women who smoke during pregnancy by five percent each year over the next five years. The department plans to promote the program more in the coming weeks.
For further information on the Baby and Me program, contact the Chenango County Public Health Department at 607-337-1660.
According to the Chenango Health Department, three out of five women in Chenango County smoke during pregnancy which greatly increases the risk of birth defects and the likelihood of dangerous health conditions for newborns.
But the hope is to put a stop to that, said Chenango DOH Director of Patient Services Darlene Gramstad, and reduce those numbers to zero.
“Looking at our numbers, our 2012 statistics show that Chenango County was among the highest in the state for women who smoke – 35 percent in the county while it’s only 8.5 percent statewide,” said Gramstad. “We have identified that there is a great need for education and outreach on this issue in Chenango County. We want the emphasis to be on preventing chronic diseases, starting with the unborn child and then working with mom to keep her from smoking again.”
To assist in the effort, Gramstad and her colleagues are working closely with Baby and Me, a national health program devised to encourage and empower women to quit smoking during pregnancy and refrain from tobacco use even after giving birth. Gramstad said the goal is to reach as many women as possible through this new initiative.
“The real emphasis these days is on use of evidence based programs,” she said, noting that Baby and Me has the data and research to support its methods.
The Baby and Me program uses cessation support tailored for pregnant women, particularly low-income women (the largest group of smokers during pregnancy, according to Baby and Me). In addition, Baby and Me and the county Health Department aim to work with other local entities including UHS Chenango Memorial, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Head Start to broaden their outreach.
Mothers enrolled in Baby and Me are referred by their physician, clinic, hospital, health department or by word of mouth. The first visit will get them more information about the program, Gramstad explained. Subsequent visits monitor the mother's carbon monoxide levels to ensure she is still smoke-free. If she hasn't smoked after six postpartum visits, she will receive a $27 monthly voucher to purchase diapers for up to 6-12 months postpartum, pending program funding.
Although there is a financial incentive, Gramstad said the real incentive for mothers is tending to the health of themselves and their newborn.
The Chenango County Board of Supervisors last week threw support behind the initiative, unanimously passing a resolution to provide $3,880 for training and technical support for the Baby and Me curriculum, as well as testing equipment and database of the program. Funding will provide training for two full-time nurses and a health educator at the Public Health Department.
Gramstad said the Chenango Health Department has an objective to decrease the number of women who smoke during pregnancy by five percent each year over the next five years. The department plans to promote the program more in the coming weeks.
For further information on the Baby and Me program, contact the Chenango County Public Health Department at 607-337-1660.
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