Changing Two Lives - the Pregnancy Incentive Program

Audience:  Everyone who addresses tobacco cessation, particularly programs working with pregnant women of child-bearing age, such as people working in state health departments, local health departments (LHU), tobacco control coalitions and advocates, Women, Infants & Children (WIC) programs.

Key Points:   Research has suggested that financial incentives provide impetus and support to help women who are pregnant to quit.  Arkansas developed a pilot program in 2 local health units to biochemically monitor quit status by women who are pregnant.  Results are encouraging and provide teaching points and opportunities for improvement prior to expanding the program.  The pilot incentive project has been well-received by the LHUs and excitement has been generated by its success.  Driving down the mortality of newborns and infants is a key Departmental objective which this program helps to achieve.  In the first year, 346 pregnant women were assessed with 24.5% smoking rate.  Women who enrolled received brief intervention counseling and referral to the state quitline along with the financial incentives.  Six women quit of least a 3 month duration and delivered healthy babies.

Educational Experience:  The background rationales for providing financial incentives will be described. The process of developing the pilot program:  training was required along with set-up necessities in the LHU, surveys, biochemical verification techniques and materials, and follow-up processes will be delineated. 

Benefits:  Interested participants will learn how to develop and implement a similar program that could be tailored to their specific demographics.