1 Reaching High Needs Populations with Tobacco Cessation January 29, 2009 Kristie Thompson Research and Policy Officer

2 Development Began investigating ways to reach this population in Fall 2007 Interviewed NC and national experts, including: Women and Tobacco Coalition for Health (WATCH) Smoke Free Families National Partnership Project ASSIST Partners The NC Perinatal Health Committee The March of Dimes

3 Lessons Learned NC still has many counties with high-rates of smoking during pregnancy (>19%) Majority of women who quit smoking during pregnancy start again by baby’s 1st birthday High percentage of women who smoke during pregnancy are low income and receive services through Medicaid Evidence-based strategies & resources exist to help Patients are 30% to 70% more likely to quit if a trained health care provider counsels them to do so Reaching and engaging providers is challenging Many health departments challenged to provide 5As

4 Goal and Plan Project Goal –To reduce tobacco exposure and use among low- income pregnant and postpartum women Program Plan –Partner with UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health to develop and implement replicable models to address prenatal and postpartum smoking –Collaborate with WATCH

5 HWTF Objective 1 Ensure health departments are able to fully screen and treat pregnant and postpartum women for tobacco use. Three-year pilot project based in four county health departments, targeting low-income pregnant and postpartum women Communication and products

6 HWTF Objective 2 Heighten awareness among all providers who interface with pregnant and postpartum women. Statewide outreach and assistance for health care providers on the importance of helping pregnant and postpartum women stop smoking Communication and products