Colorado is taking a critical step to protect low-income women during their pregnancy through incentive-based smoking cessation interventions. A new study from the Colorado School of Public Health at the Anschutz Medical Campus shows a significant reduction in infant morbidity due to the program.

The study, published in Public Health Nursing, examines the results of the interventions provided by the Baby & Me Tobacco Free program (BMTF) throughout Colorado.

“Young women, especially when raised in low-income households, are a vulnerable target for tobacco use,” said Tessa Crume, PhD, MSPH, associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health, and lead researcher in the study.

In Colorado, smoking in the third trimester of pregnancy is three to four times higher among women who live in poverty relative to women with higher incomes, according to Colorado Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. Smoking during pregnancy is the most substantial modifiable risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality in the United States.

“The problem of prenatal smoking will not go away, especially when tobacco products target a younger generation, and nicotine addictions begin before becoming pregnant. This study is important because successful interventions improve the health of mothers and children, disrupt familial propagation of tobacco use while also saving Coloradans millions in healthcare costs,” Crume said.

Tessa Crume, PhD, MSPH, associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health

The BMTF intervention includes counseling (based on motivational interviewing) provided throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period, biomonitoring feedback via carbon-monoxide breath testing and financial incentives in the form of diaper vouchers contingent on cessation-status.

Key findings from the study include:

Reduction in infant morbidity : BMTF participants had a 24% to 28% reduction in the risk of preterm birth and a 24% to 55% reduction in the risk of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.

BMTF participants had a 24% to 28% reduction in the risk of preterm birth and a 24% to 55% reduction in the risk of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions. Significant cost savings : Cost savings per participant in BMTF compared to the birth certificate population was $6,040 and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) reference was $2,182.

: Cost savings per participant in BMTF compared to the birth certificate population was $6,040 and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) reference was $2,182. Total annual cost savings for Colorado associated with the BMTF intervention was over $4.1 million and $1.4 million compared to the birth certificate and PRAMS reference populations, respectively. Costs for each adverse maternal delivery and birth outcome were based on the average Medicaid reimbursement for a delivery complicated with the outcome, minus the average reimbursement for an uncomplicated delivery.

Based on an extrapolation estimate: if the BMTF program covered all Colorado Medicaid recipients who smoked in the three months prior to or during pregnancy in Colorado, the state of Colorado would save an estimate between $16.8 and $6 million dollars annually on healthcare costs associated with adverse smoking-related birth outcomes.

To assess birth outcomes and cost-savings of the program, the study compared BMTF participants to two state level referent populations: a birth certificate reference population consisting of over 16,000 women and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System reference population that reflects a response of over 16,000 women.

Supporting quotes:

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

“It is very hard to quit smoking. Most women who smoke during pregnancy try to quit, and programs such as Baby and Me Tobacco Free are proven to help them succeed. This translates to healthier moms and babies, saving money on health care for all Coloradans.”

Laurie Adams, executive director, Baby & Me Tobacco Free Program

"As we look at the 22 States nationally implementing BMTF, we applaud the excellent work Colorado is doing to reduce the burden of tobacco on the pregnant population. The timely research proves that our efforts are making a difference. The additional component of this published report into cost savings is phenomenal. We not only are helping each woman and baby enrolled in BMTF, we are saving millions in health care dollars in Colorado. As we celebrate the great findings, we hope it will spur greater interest in scale and sustainability efforts in Colorado and in the nation. We congratulate everyone involved in this effort, from the BMTF facilitators in the field, to the evaluators/researchers at UCD, to state leadership at CDPHE, to Rocky Mountain Health Foundation and we look forward to our continued partnership."

Lisa Fenton Free, director, Baby & Me Tobacco Free Program, Rocky Mountain Health Foundation

“Baby & Me Tobacco Free Program continues to prove year after year its ability to improve the lives of mothers, babies, and even family members as well. To prevent preterm deliveries, low birth weights, and improve their overall health is impactful immediately and for years to come.”