Overview
The West Virginia Perinatal Partnership works with obstetric, pediatric, and family practice providers to reduce the negative impact of tobacco use. Smoking/vaping, especially for women of reproductive age, is a major public health problem causing serious harms to pregnant women, infants, and children. Smoking before, during, and after pregnancy is associated with a number of risks, including preterm birth, low birthweight, birth defects, fetal growth restriction, childhood respiratory illnesses, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Our initiatives work to decrease smoking/vaping and to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
Our Approach
We believe evidence-based smoking cessation initiatives are the key to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
“We have found this program to be a critical tool in helping our patients who use tobacco quit completely and stay quit. As a result, the expectant moms we serve are healthier, their deliveries are safer, and their babies are much more likely to be born on time, at a healthy weight. One aspect we’ve found very helpful is the open, direct communication we are able to have with the telehealth counselor working with these women. This helps bring the continuum of care for our patients full circle. They receive the care they truly need to be successful in becoming free from tobacco, and we get updates on their status in the program.”
Dr. Ellie Hood, OB GYN – Valley Health
To address the alarming rate of pregnant women who smoke and use nicotine products, the Partnership has developed an extensive provider education campaign to arm maternity and pediatric care providers with critical resources and skills to assist their patients in quitting. Explore our collaborative projects:
Help2Quit
The Help2Quit program is a project funded by the Bureau for Public Health to improve birth outcomes in West Virginia by reducing tobacco use before, during and after pregnancy.
In collaboration with the Division of Tobacco Prevention and the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, the Perinatal Partnership developed the Help2Quit program to provide the skills and resources perinatal health care providers need to help their patients quit smoking. The Perinatal Partnership provides training and technical assistance on evidence-based tobacco cessation screening and treatment strategies to obstetrical and pediatric practices.
Baby & Me Tobacco Free
The Baby & Me Tobacco Free Program strives to inspire and empower pregnant women and their families to overcome nicotine addiction and work to support communities in disrupting the generational impacts of tobacco.
The WVPP’s Help2Quit program has partnered with the BMTFP for pregnant women.
The program is structured to offer support, guidance, and incentives to pregnant individuals who are committed to quitting smoking and ensuring a tobacco-free environment for themselves and their babies.
For more information visit: babyandmetobaccofree.org or contact jfcurry@wvperinatal.org.
Tobacco-Free Families Advisory Council
In coordination with the Division of Tobacco Prevention, the West Virginian Perinatal Partnership holds quarterly Tobacco-Free Families Advisory Council (“TFFAC”) meetings. The TFFAC is led by physician champions and consists of healthcare professionals, policymakers, insurers, and other experts in leadership positions who are able to implement changes.
The TFFAC works as a collaborative body to ensure that all smoking cessation efforts targeted to women of childbearing age are well coordinated and promote a consistent message.
Our Team
Juliana Frederick Curry, MS
Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation
Help2Quit
Full Bio