Ifeyinwa V Asiodu1, Kimarie Bugg2, Aunchalee E L Palmquist3. 1. Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. 2. Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Lithonia, Georgia, USA. 3. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is protective of maternal and infant health across the life course. Increasing breastfeeding rates in Black communities is an important public health strategy to address maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Methods: Data trends for the past 10 years suggest that Black-led community efforts; local, state, and national initiatives; and maternity care practices that are supportive of breastfeeding have been effective in improving and increasing breastfeeding rates among Black women. Results: Yet breastfeeding disparities and inequities in Black communities persist. Systemic and structural barriers, such as racism, bias, and inequitable access to lactation resources and support continue to be issues in the United States. Conclusion: Going forward, significant investments are needed to decolonize breastfeeding research and clinical practice. Public health and policy priorities need to center on listening to Black women, and funding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations and researchers conducting innovative projects and research.
Background: Breastfeeding is protective of maternal and infant health across the life course. Increasing breastfeeding rates in Black communities is an important public health strategy to address maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Methods: Data trends for the past 10 years suggest that Black-led community efforts; local, state, and national initiatives; and maternity care practices that are supportive of breastfeeding have been effective in improving and increasing breastfeeding rates among Black women. Results: Yet breastfeeding disparities and inequities in Black communities persist. Systemic and structural barriers, such as racism, bias, and inequitable access to lactation resources and support continue to be issues in the United States. Conclusion: Going forward, significant investments are needed to decolonize breastfeeding research and clinical practice. Public health and policy priorities need to center on listening to Black women, and funding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations and researchers conducting innovative projects and research.
Entities:
Keywords:
Black women; breastfeeding; communities; equity; racism
Authors: Melissa C Bartick; Alison M Stuebe; Eleanor Bimla Schwarz; Christine Luongo; Arnold G Reinhold; E Michael Foster Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Eleanor Bimla Schwarz; Roberta M Ray; Alison M Stuebe; Matthew A Allison; Roberta B Ness; Matthew S Freiberg; Jane A Cauley Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Vu-An Foster; Jessica M Harrison; Caitlin R Williams; Ifeyinwa V Asiodu; Sequoia Ayala; Jasmine Getrouw-Moore; Nastassia K Davis; Wendy Davis; Inas K Mahdi; Aza Nedhari; P Mimi Niles; Sayida Peprah; Jamila B Perritt; Monica R McLemore; Fleda Mask Jackson Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2021-10 Impact factor: 9.048
Authors: David M Haas; Ziyi Yang; Corette B Parker; Judith Chung; Samuel Parry; William A Grobman; Brian M Mercer; Hyagriv N Simhan; Robert M Silver; Ronald J Wapner; George R Saade; Philip Greenland; Noel Bairey Merz; Uma M Reddy; Victoria L Pemberton Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-09-22 Impact factor: 3.105