Direct Digital Referrals From Prenatal Care and WIC Enrollment Among Pregnant Individuals

Does an electronic health record–enabled direct digital referral from prenatal care improve Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enrollment compared with providing WIC information only?In this randomized clinical trial of 240 pregnant participants, WIC enrollment was significantly higher among participants receiving direct digital referrals to WIC (78%) compared with those receiving written information (65%). WIC enrollment was also significantly higher with registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) referrals.These findings suggest that direct digital referrals from prenatal care to WIC and RDNs represent a scalable strategy to improve WIC enrollment and address health-related social needs during pregnancy.

Corresponding Author: Lisa Bailey-Davis, DEd, RD, Center for Women’s and Children’s Research, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, 100 N Academy Ave, Mail code 26-07, Danville, PA 17822 (ldbaileydavis@geisinger.edu).

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