preconception education in the workplace presented at the third national summit on preconception...
TRANSCRIPT
Preconception Education in
the WorkplacePresented at the Third National Summit on
Preconception Health and Health Care
Steve AbelmanDirector, Educational
Outreach and Marketing
March of DimesMission:
– To improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality
– 4 Strategies to Reach our Mission• 1: Research • 2: Advocacy• 3: Community Services• 4: Education
BackgroundLabor Force (Women 16-44) – 41.6
Million– Women (16-44) as % of Labor Force –
46%Birth Rate (per 1000) among women
16-44 in labor force – 46U.S. Births – 4.2 MillionBirths among women 16-44 in labor
force – 1.9 Million
Bureau of Labor Statistics and US Census - 2008
When does education begin?
• For this population, in general, the carrier and/or employer does not provide any information regarding healthy behaviors that may lead to healthy pregnancies until the first claim is filed.
• That information tends to be prenatal and not preconception.
Average Payment by Health Plan for Newborn Care
Source: Thomson Healthcare Babies were chosen from MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounter database for 2005 and were only included if they had at least twelve months of continuous enrollment after birth.
$4,551
$49,033
$9,280 $9,331
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Uncomplicated Prematurity/LBWOther Select Complications All Births
Dollars
Chronic health problems (High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity)
Medical risks in current pregnancy
Behavioral & environmental risks (Smoking, alcohol or drug use)
Demographic risks (African-American, over 35)
Other risks – stress, periods of standing
Some Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy
Outcomes
www.marchofdimes.com/hbhb
“My 9 Months”
Results to DateCurrently over 300 organizations ranging from
25 to over 1 million employees are using “My 9 Months”
Average monthly unique users = 2000– Average monthly page views =3150
Most popular content:– Getting Healthy (9 Questions)– How Your Baby Grows– Due Date Calculator– Ovulation Calculator– Weight Gain– Just for Dads– Why the Last Weeks Count
Limitations• Behavior change and/or outcomes as a
sole result of this tool is difficult to measure.
• Employers have other tools at their disposals, such as Health Risk Assessments and financial incentives that can influence actions of their employees.
• However, education, easily accessed, is the first step in making improvements in the health of women of childbearing age in the workplace.
ImplicationsEncouraging women in the workplace to
adapt healthy behaviors prior to conception is an important concept in the
preconception arena as employers and insurances carriers tend to neglect this
audience until the pregnancy is identified.