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May 10, 2012
A new report shows that 21.8 percent of pregnant White women aged 15 to 44 currently (within the past 30 days) smoked cigarettes. The study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also showed that cigarette smoking levels among pregnant White women were significantly higher than the levels among pregnant Black women (14.2 percent) and pregnant Hispanic women (6.5 percent) in the same 15 to 44 age range.
In terms of current illicit drug use, however, the report found that the rate among pregnant Black women (7.7 percent) was significantly higher than among pregnant White women (4.4 percent) and pregnant Hispanic women (3.1 percent).
The rate of current alcohol use among pregnant Black and White women is roughly the same (12.8 percent and 12.2 percent respectively), but their levels were substantially higher than pregnant Hispanic women (7.4 percent)
Overall, pregnant Hispanic women in this age range were less likely to use alcohol and cigarettes than pregnant Black and White women.
"When pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances they are risking health problems for themselves and poor birth outcomes for their babies," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "Pregnant women of different races and ethnicities may have diverse patterns of substance abuse. It is essential that we use the findings from this report to develop better ways of getting this key message out to every segment of our community so that no woman or child is endangered by substance use and abuse."
SAMHSA's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence sponsors a number of state-of-the-art programs for addressing the problem of substance abuse among pregnant women. These programs include:
- Project CHOICES - Reaches out to women at risk of having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy before they become pregnant to provide information and help.
- Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) - Helps identify and provide assistance to people in need of treatment. The program uses a simple written assessment of alcohol use and a 10-15 minute intervention with pregnant women who report drinking.
- Parent-Child Assistance Program (P-CAP) - The program uses an intensive paraprofessional home visitation model to reduce risk behaviors in women with substance abuse problems over a three-year period.
These programs implement evidence-based interventions and have helped many pregnant women lead healthier lives and improve the outcomes for their children's health. More information about the FASD Center for Excellence is available at: http://www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/assessmentprevention/fasdprevention.cfm.
The report entitled, "Data Spotlight: Substance Use During Pregnancy Varies by Race and Ethnicity," is based on data analyzed from SAMHSA's 2002-2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH is a scientifically conducted annual survey of approximately 67,500 people throughout the country, aged 12 and older. Because of its statistical power, it is the nation's premier source of statistical information on the scope and nature of many substance abuse and behavioral health issues affecting the nation.
March 26, 2012
A new report shows that women aged 18 to 49 on probation or parole are nearly twice as likely to experience mental illness as other women. The study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showed that almost half of women in this age range who had been on probation (49.4 percent) and more than half on parole (54.2 percent) in the past year had experienced some form of mental illness -- compared to 27.5 percent of women who had not been on probation or parole.
"This report highlights the very real need for providing better behavioral healthcare for women emerging from the criminal justice system," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "Providing these services not only meets a vital public health need, but is a very sound investment since it can prevent many at-risk women from returning to the criminal justice system. Since women play a vital role in families, schools, business, and government, the recovery of women to productive lives can have an enormous positive impact on America's communities."
The study also found rates of serious mental illness (defined as mental illness that substantially limits major life activities) were two to three times higher for women who had been on probation (21.5 percent) or on parole (28.5 percent) than for women who had not been on probation or parole (7.8 percent). Research indicates that women in the criminal justice system with untreated mental health problems have greater difficulty reintegrating into their families and communities and are more likely to re-offend than those without mental health problems.
SAMHSA, through the SAMHSA GAINS Center, provides technical assistance support with a primary focus on expanding access to community based services for adults diagnosed with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders at all points of contact with the justice system. The center provides technical assistance to the field, related to Adult Treatment Court Collaboratives and Jail Diversion Trauma Recovery programs. There is also a special section of resources at the center specifically to help women involved with the criminal justice system. Further information can be accessed at http://gains.prainc.com/topical_resources/women.asp. The report entitled, "Data Spotlight: Half of Women on Probation or Parole Experience Mental Illness," is based on data analyzed from SAMHSA's 2008-2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH is a scientifically conducted annual survey of approximately 67,500 people throughout the country, aged 12 and older. The report is available at: www.samhsa.gov/data/spotlight/Spot063WomenParole2012.pdf.
March 28, 2012
A new report shows that 81 percent of substance abuse treatment facilities run by tribal governments provided outreach services to persons in the community who may need treatment. The report, by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that the level of outreach services provided by tribal substance abuse facilities was notably higher than the levels among other private and public-run facilities. Overall, 51 percent of all treatment substance facilities provided outreach services.
These services include programs such as behavioral health education, language services and transportation to treatment for members of the community. These services are especially important to traditionally underserved populations, such as people experiencing homelessness, people in rural areas and members of certain racial and ethnic groups.
"It is encouraging that half of all substance abuse treatment facilities, and a large majority of tribal treatment facilities, are offering outreach services. Increasing the numbers of outreach services is critical so people are not denied access to treatment because of socio-economic, logistical and other reasons," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "We need to do everything in our power to make access to substance abuse treatment easier and open the door to hope and the opportunity for a bright and thriving future."
The following facilities have reported these outreach service levels:
Federal Government facilities - 56 percent
Local, County or Community Government - 55 percent
Private, Non-Profit Organization - 53 percent
State Government - 50 percent
Private, For-Profit - 43 percent
SAMHSA has several programs that promote outreach services to those in need of treatment - particularly to traditionally underserved communities. These programs include Access to Recovery (ATR) grants which employ a voucher management system that provides eligible clients the opportunity to choose clinical treatment and recovery support services from a list of providers. The six ATR tribal grantees operating in nine states provide extensive outreach services to rural reservation communities and remote villages as well as major metropolitan areas.
The report Half of All Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities and More than Three Quarters of Those Owned By Tribal Governments Offer Outreach Services is based on SAMHSA 2009 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS). The N-SSATS report is a survey of 13,513 substance abuse treatment facilities across the U.S. The Spotlight report is available at: www.samhsa.gov/spotlights/CBHSQ_Spot045_Outreach_2012.pdf.
March 15, 2012
The MCHB and CDC are offering a Training Course in MCH Epidemiology as part of their ongoing effort to enhance the analytic capacity of state and local health agencies. This national program is aimed primarily at professionals in state and local health agencies who have significant responsibility for collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting maternal and child health data. Faculty working with state or local MCH departments are also eligible for the course. This year, the course is geared to individuals with intermediate to advanced skills in using statistical and epidemiologic methods, preferably in MCH or a related field.
The training curriculum is designed to build conceptual, technical, and analytic skills for using data effectively, and focuses on applications that are relevant to the day-to-day work of participants. The training course is an intensive program, combining lectures, discussion, hands-on exercises, and opportunities for individualized technical assistance. In addition, the in-person training will be supplemented with webinars both before and after the course.
March 15, 2012
A new ACOG website provides resources for women's health care providers in identifying women who drink too much and in providing brief educational counseling to reduce or eliminate alcohol use. It also provides information for the public along with linked resources. This website is a one-stop choice, offering a cell phone app, downloadable patient information sheets, current news articles, treatment referral information, and more. The tools on this website were developed in response to the needs expressed by ACOG's members. Some examples of tools you can find here include:
- Alcohol screening and brief intervention at a glance - Pocket card
- Tips for working with women who drink
- iPhone app for identifying and intervening with women who drink at risk levels
- ACOG Committee Opinion: At risk drinking and alcohol dependence: Obstetric and gynecologic implications
- Additional clinician resources
- Community resources
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