Leading Health Indicator 14 Access to Quality Health Services Florida 2010 Goal for Children and Youth Reduce substance and alcohol use among pregnant women and youth. Reduce alcohol and substance abuse among adults, especially young adults HP 2010 Goal Reduce substance abuse to protect the health, safety and quality of life for all especially children

Alcohol and substance use during pregnancy increases a newborn's risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, neurobehavioral problems and other developmental disabilities and delays.^(1-5)   Pregnant women should seek information on over-the-counter and prescription drugs from their doctor before using them, because drugs may affect fetal growth and development processes.

“Prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of birth defects, mental retardation, and neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States.” (MMWR Weekly April 5, 2002 / 51(13); 273-276, p. 273). The 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found an estimated 13 percent of pregnant women reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days and 3 percent engaged in binge drinking (five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once within the last 30 days).⁽⁶⁾   Binge drinking was lower among pregnant women (3 percent) than nonpregnant women (19 percent) but increased the year after giving birth (16 percent). The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a survey conducted in 11 to 13 states on women who have recently given birth. Data is collected on numerous risks to pregnancy and newborns, including alcohol use prior to pregnancy and the last months of a pregnancy. The PRAMS provides Florida with comparative data from other states. Alcohol use decreased among pregnant women in Florida between 1997 and 2001.

Figure 71: Trends in Prevalence of Drinking Alcohol Prior To and During Pregnancy; Florida Compared to States that Participate in the CDC PRAMS Survey

Source: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) 1993, 1995, 1998 Note: *Florida is one of 13 states participating in the CDC sponsored PRAMS self report survey of women after the birth of their child. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/drh/srv_prams.htm

Figure 72: Trends in Substance Exposed Florida Newborns, 1991, 1999-2001

Source: Florida Department of Health, Family Health Services, Healthy Start Program Substance Exposed Newborn Data (SENS) http://hpeapps.doh.state.fl.us/phids/Phids1.asp