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WIC Participation

Socioeconomic Gradients and Low Birth‐Weight: Empirical and Policy Considerations

The objective of this study was to examine whether socioeconomic status (SES) gradients emerged in health outcomes as early as birth. Results showed that participation in WIC substantially flattened income gradients for short-term participants and virtually eliminated an income gradient among long-term participants. The researcher concluded that WIC’s effects on income gradients warrant additional study, to explore further whether interventions or participants; characteristics could resolve socioeconomic disparities in such early-life health;outcomes as low birth weight.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Infant Feeding Practices

This study examines the association between a mothers participation in the WIC Program and adherence to four American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on infant feeding. WIC participants were 8.5 percentage points less likely than non-participants to adhere to the AAP recommendation to delay introduction of infant formula until month 6. However, the difference between participants and non-participants disappeared by month 6.

Changes in Maternal Cigarette Smoking Among Pregnant WIC Participants in Rhode Island

The authors explored the relationship between the timing of entry into the WIC Program among pregnant women in Rhode Island and changes in maternal cigarette smoking (MCS) during pregnancy. Self-reports from smokers indicated that 9.5% quit smoking; 24.6% decreased MCS; 26.8% experienced no change; 33.5% increased MCS; and 5.6% attempted to quit MCS, but failed during pregnancy.

Underimmunization in Chicago Children who Dropped Out of WIC

This retrospective cohort study determined whether children who remained active at WIC immunization-linked sites after their first birthday were more likely to be immunized by ages 19 months and 25 months than those who had dropped out. The study concluded that children who participated in WIC were more likely to be immunized, compared with children who had dropped out of WIC.

Understanding Young Parents

“In 2013, there were 3.6 million young parents (those ages 18 to 24) living with their children in the United States.1 These young adults face particular challenges gaining the skills, […]