Data from Southern Connecticut State University Provide New Insights into Managed Care (WIC Participation During Pregnancy and Low and Very Low Birth Weight by Race and Ethnicity): Managed Care

2026 AUG 04 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Research findings on Managed Care are discussed in a new report. According to news originating from New Haven, Connecticut, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “To examine the association between the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation during pregnancy and birth weight by race and ethnicity on a national level. Retrospective cohort of US natality from 2014 to 2022.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Southern Connecticut State University, “All US states and Washington, DC. First-time mothers of a live singleton birth covered by Medicaid with available data on WIC participation and birth weight. WIC participation during pregnancy (yes/no) MEASURE: Low (< 2,500 g) and very low (< 1,500 g) birth weight. Multivariable logistic regression A total of 3,778,400 mothers covered by Medicaid were included in this analysis, of which 69.6% were WIC participants during pregnancy. The association between WIC participation and birth weight outcomes differed by race and ethnicity. After adjusting, WIC participants during pregnancy were 25%, 20%, 17%, and 10% less likely to give birth to low-weight infants compared with non-WIC participants for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and White, respectively. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participation during pregnancy was associated with reduced low birth weight in all races and ethnicities.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Improving WIC access and participation during pregnancy may support health equity in birth weight outcomes.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: WIC Participation During Pregnancy and Low and Very Low Birth Weight by Race and Ethnicity. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2025;58. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-nutrition-education-and-behavior/)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Wendemi Sawadogo, Dept. of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT. Additional authors for this research include Nicholas McGuire, Marian Evans and Praise E. Tangbe.

The publisher’s contact information for the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior is: Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA.

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