“Let's Talk" About What Comes Next for CDC in Communicating with Healthcare Providers about Alcohol Use During Pregnancy and Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (CDC NCBDDD) has produced a suite of “Let’s Talk” materials for HCPs in multiple formats for a variety of communication channels. How will CDC NCBDDD use these materials and other strategic efforts to assist HCPs in 1) engaging in open conversations and shared decision-making with their patients regarding alcohol use in general and during pregnancy and 2) incorporating alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) into their daily practices?

Methods:

The presenter will describe: 1) what continued success of the “Let’s Talk” materials will look like, 2) steps CDC has taken to engage new partners within maternal and child health settings, and 3) upcoming communication efforts across its current funded partner organizations. The presenter will also touch on the current communication landscape at CDC, including lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these may influence communication efforts around prenatal alcohol use.

Results:

The presenter will briefly highlight areas of focus for CDC in future messaging, based on input from its partners, such as integrating messages about alcohol use during pregnancy in larger conversations and initiatives about polysubstance use, addressing issues of inclusive and nonstigmatizing messages, continued efforts to promote consistent messages using innovative strategies, and incorporating insights from people with lived experience.

Conclusions:

CDC NCBDDD is committed to working closely with clinical partners and other stakeholders to promote a shared message that “There is no known safe amount, no safe time, and no safe type of alcohol use during pregnancy.” Our work with all our partners is happening amid a backdrop in which providers and patients receive contrary guidance from a variety of sources. Communicating clear, evidence-based messages about alcohol use during pregnancy from credible voices can help patients better understand risks and help clinicians have important conversations to provide help.

Implications for research and/or practice:

CDC NCBDDD is actively working to maintain and expand our partnerships with clinical and nonclinical entities that promote maternal and child health with an interest in amplifying this message.