Measures Of Infants Health Behaviors Measures Of Infants Health | 2016 Health Of Women And Children Report

Executive Summary Introduction Explore the Health of Women, Children and Infants Findings The Health of Women and Children between States The Health of Women and Children within States Healthy Communities for Children Clinical Preventive Services for Children Racial Disparities in Measures of Mortality Variations in Smoking Measures of Women's Health Behaviors | Measures of Women’s Health Community & Environment | Measures of Women’s Health Policy | Measures of Women’s Health Clinical Care | Measures of Women’s Health Outcomes | Measures of Women’s Health Measures of Infants' Health Behaviors | Measures of Infants’ Health Community & Environment | Measures of Infants’ Health Policy | Measures of Infants’ Health Clinical Care | Measures of Infants’ Health Outcomes | Measures of Infants’ Health Measures of Children's Health Behaviors | Measures of Children’s Health Community & Environment | Measures of Children’s Health Policy | Measures of Children’s Health Clinical Care | Measures of Children’s Health Outcomes | Measures of Children’s HealthState Summaries

Alabama

United StatesAppendixData Sources and Measures of Women’s Health Data Sources and Measures of Infants’ Health Data Sources and Measures of Children’s Health Methodology Model Development America’s Health Rankings® Health of Women and Children Steering Group The Team

2016 Health of Women and Children Report 2016 Health of Women and Children - Chart Pack 2016 Health of Women and Children - Executive Summary

Alcohol During Pregnancy
Prenatal exposure to alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs last a lifetime and manifest as physical birth defects, long-term impairments to cognitive function—both intellectual and behavioral—and other problems with organ function. FASDs are the most common preventable cause of intellectual disability in the United States and are completely preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. There is no known safe amount of alcohol or time to consume alcohol while pregnant. The US Surgeon General recommends pregnant women and sexually active women who do not use effective contraception abstain from drinking alcohol. 

Percentage of pregnant women aged 18 to 44 who self-report having at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days
Data source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011-2014 For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/alcohol_pregnant

Breastfed 
Breastfeeding provides infants with nutrition and immunologic protection, and decreases risk of infant mortality, childhood obesity, asthma, gastroenteritis, types 1 and 2 diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, and childhood leukemia. Breastfeeding mothers are at decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancers. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of a baby’s life. An estimated 74% of babies are ever breastfed and 18.8% of infants are breastfed exclusively for six months. Current suboptimal breastfeeding rates cost the US economy $8.7 billion per year. 

Percentage of infants exclusively breastfed for six months
Data source: CDC, Breastfeeding Report Card, 2014  For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/Breastfed

Sleep Position
An infant’s sleeping arrangement is the primary risk factor for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). In the United States, SUID claims about 3,500 infants each year, and a prone (face-down) sleep position significantly increases the risk of SUID relative to a supine (face-up) position. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be placed on their back for sleep until 12 months of age. Additional safe sleep recommendations include placing the infant to sleep on a firm sleep surface without soft objects, loose bedding, or other similar items and sharing a room with parents but not a bed. 

Percentage of women with a recent birth who report their infants are usually placed on their backs to sleep
Data source: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2012; Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, 2012 For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/sleep_position

Smoking During Pregnancy
The harmful effects of smoking extend beyond the smoker. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight, miscarriage, and sudden infant death syndrome. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at greater risk for respiratory infections and chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma. Pregnancy may serve as a major motivator to help women quit—an estimated 46% quit. Infants born to mothers who quit smoking during the first trimester are of comparable weight and height to those of non-smoking women. The majority of women who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse postpartum in spite of the harmful effects to children due to secondhand smoke exposure. 

Percentage of pregnant women aged 18 to 44 who are self-reported smokers (smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke)
Data source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011-2014 For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/smoking_pregnant_brfss