Social and Behavioral Risk Factors Among Pregnant Smokers

While programs to help pregnant women stop smoking do exist, research has shown that we cannot assume they are effective. Although 50% of infant mortality in the Unites States are attributable to maternal behavior factors, only 5% of health care resources are directed at improving the manner in which social and behavioral risk factor are addressed with pregnant women. The inequities of this must be addressed. It is important that healthcare professionals find ways to allocate more resources toward programs that effectively help reduce social and behavioral risk factors among pregnant smokers. It is also important that those who will be the recipient of these resources play a role in determining how to allocate best these resources.