Pennsylvania Physicians Offer Solutions to Expectant Mothers Living with Substance Abuse

Harrisburg, PA, April 30, 2018 -- As the entire country continues to fall victim to the opioid and heroin epidemic, Pennsylvania is no stranger to the crippling effects of substance abuse disease as its numbers continue to surge with the number of newborns addicted and dependent to the drug.

One in 200 babies are born dependent on opioids, and nearly all babies born to opioid-addicted mothers suffer withdrawal. Babies born addicted to drugs may suffer withdrawal symptoms associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Symptoms include delayed growth, birth defects, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 217 cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome birth within the first two months of 2018.

Pennsylvania Physicians and health officials from all across Pennsylvania rallied together to answer an important question: How do we prevent the deaths of newborns with expectant mothers living with substance abuse?

A roundtable forum hosted by Aetna for Better Health and Jefferson University Hospital Maternal Addiction Treatment Education & Research (MATER) Program, invited over 50 experts in healthcare --- The roundtable included community organizations, physicians, and representation from the state.

Highlights:

• Best practices for identifying, treating, and measuring the success of treating expectant mothers with substance abuse disorder
• Current and future treatment options for mothers living with addiction and their newborns
• Strengthen the lines of communication and develop partnerships with law enforcement to combat addiction on the front lines
• Physician roles in prescribing opioid-based painkillers

Leaders in health care agreed that prevention is more than just a pamphlet or brochure, there is a need to educate and share information with each other in order to connect the dots to a solution.  There is shared understanding and realization that newborns need access to resources as they grow.

The event host, Bernard Lewin, M.D., Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania’s, Chief Medical Officer, said, “The opioid epidemic is the most rapidly growing public health crisis in the state of Pennsylvania and is impacting our most vulnerable populations and innocent members of our society.”

More newborns would survive drug addiction if their mothers received treatment. Mothers sometimes refuse treatment for fear that their children may be taken. Community outreach and communication is critical to prevention and conversations need to continue with stakeholder input.

“Fighting the opioid epidemic requires difficult conversations and creative solutions,” said Lewin. “This discussion will help protect future generations of Pennsylvanians and all Americans.”

In March, the Aetna Foundation and other health leaders announced a $1 million grant to the state to use data tools to predict how to address future impact of the opioid epidemic. Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf renewed the state's emergency declaration for the opioid crisis sweeping that state, and the nation overall.

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About Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania

Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Aetna, provides Medicaid health care coverage to over 200,000 Pennsylvania residents.  Aetna Better Health is the only managed care health plan that serves residents of all counties across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Aetna Better Health members can call 1-866-638-1232 (PA Relay 711) or go to www.aetnabetterhealth.com/Pennsylvania

About MATER

Jefferson University Hospitals’ specially trained experts at the Maternal Addiction Treatment Education & Research (MATER) provide comprehensive treatments for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders and their children in outpatient and residential settings.

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Marcia Perry
Perry Media Group
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