Indiana is trying to reduce infant deaths by offering financial incentives to help pregnant women stop smoking. The efforts are to lower the state’s infant mortality rate, which one of the worst in the country.
Indiana’s infant mortality rate fell below seven deaths per 1,000 infants in 2012 for only the second time in the state’s history, and internal state Department of Health data shows it rising back above that rate last year.
Department of Health Commissioner Jerome Adams says addressing the problem is complex.
“It’s not just as easy as saying, ‘That’s the problem; let’s fix it.’ It’s about educating people out of long held beliefs, long held habits,” says Adams.
That includes smoking. More than 16 percent of Hoosier pregnant women report smoking, double the national average. Reducing that number is the mission of the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program.
Executive Director Laurie Adams says pregnant women attend four sessions while pregnant to help them quit smoking. They’re then tested once a month for 12 months after giving birth to ensure they’re smoke free. For each smoke-free month, they get a $25 voucher for diapers.
Laurie Adams says, partnering with Anthem Wellpoint and CVS, the state is now able to expand the program to the partners of pregnant women.
“And/or a significant other, maybe they live with their mom or their aunt; who’s ever residing with them that’s also a smoker," says Adams, "if they would like to quit they can come in and attend sessions with the mom, quit with her, be her support, help quit with her. And then after the baby’s born, they get two diaper vouchers.”
The Baby and Me testing sites can be found through the state Department of Health.
