Communications

Maternal Characteristics of Prenatal WIC Receipt in the United States, 2016

By Driscoll A & Osterman M

Eligibility for participation by pregnant women in the WIC Program is determined by household poverty status; only those with household incomes below 185% of the federal poverty line are eligible (1). The 2016 birth file is the first to include national data on receipt of WIC food during pregnancy. Nationwide, 4 in 10 women received WIC benefits while pregnant (39.6%). At the state level, prenatal WIC receipt rates ranged from 21.2% in Utah to 52.2% in Alabama. Among the six maternal age groups, the prenatal WIC receipt rate in 2016 was highest for women under age 20. Women with less education had higher rates than those with more education. Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and AIAN women had higher rates than those in other race and Hispanic origin groups. A forthcoming report from the National Center for Health Statistics will present detailed information on this new birth certificate item.

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Date Added
May 6, 2019

Citation
Driscoll AK, Osterman MJK. (2018)  Maternal characteristics of prenatal WIC participation in the United States, 2016. NCHS Data Brief, no 298. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db298.pdf