Please note: This website has recently moved from www.health.gov to odphp.health.gov. www.health.gov is now the official website of ODPHP’s parent organization, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). Please update your bookmarks for easy access to all our resources. 

Increase abstinence from illicit drugs among pregnant women — MICH‑11

Status: Little or no detectable change

  
Image
Little or no detectable change

Most Recent Data:
94.4 percent (2018-19)

Target:
95.3 percent

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
93.0 percent of pregnant females aged 15 to 44 years reported abstaining from illicit drugs in the past 30 days in 2017-18

Increase abstinence from illicit drugs among pregnant women

Target-Setting Method
Percentage point improvement

Summary

Using drugs like marijuana, cocaine, or heroin during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms in infants after birth. In addition, substance use disorders have been linked to maternal deaths. Screening pregnant women for drug use and referring them to treatment when needed can help women avoid using drugs during pregnancy.