The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Launched in May 2002, the National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit (National Partnership) is a diverse coalition of over 60 leading philanthropic, health, business and government organizations dedicated to help every pregnant women in the United States become smoke-free. Six working groups--- healthcare, media, policy, research, communities and worksites, and state outreach--- of representatives from partner organizations plan and implement system-wide clinical and community-based strategies outlined in the National Partnership Action Plan.

Methods: Representatives identified a core set of objectives for each working group and established benchmarks to gauge the progress towards these objectives. Representatives develop and execute activities aimed at acheiving the benchmarks through monthly teleconferences, emails, and periodic in-person meetings. This presentation will provide updates on the progress and accomplishments of the National Partnership, and specifically highlight the Policy Working Group's efforts to foster policy initiatives that improve tobacco treatment coverage for pregnant women served by Medicaid, the state-federal insurance plan for low-income women.

Results: The National Partnership has reached thousands of pregnant smokers, employees, providers, and other stateholders. The Policy group demonstrates the process and outcomes that can be achieved through a large, national collaboration with shared goals. State outreach strategies and resource materials including one-page briefs and communication kits developed by the Policy Working Group to advocate for maintaining and enhancing Medicaid coverage for pregnant smokers will be discussed and shared with the audience. In addition, strategies to address challenges in meeting benchmarks will be described.