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.