>"Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
>There was a recent study
>out (and I will try and find it).  It correlated the high rate of black
>infant mortality and morbidity in the USA to the fact that black infants are
>not breastfed.  This issue is not about the past and slavery.  This is about
>now and saving lives.  I think David Satcher needs a copy of that research.


>  ... David Satcher, MD, needs to see the statistics, as do all African
> American
>people.


I completely agree that many health problems among black infants are
inextricably linked to not being breastfed, but it seems that you are
implying that Dr. Satcher is unaware. I don't think that's the case. For
example, in the forward of the HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding
(2000), he writes:

"Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates are wide and reveal
alarmingly low rates among African American women (19% at 6 months
postpartum). The nation must address these low breastfeeding rates as a
public health challenge and put in place national, culturally appropriate
strategies to promote breastfeeding. ... Together we can shape a future in
which mothers can feel comfortable and free to breastfeed their children
without societal hindrances. While there has been considerable progress
toward reaching this goal, there remains a significant challenge to reach
African American women with culturally appropriate approaches to promote
breastfeeding."

Dr. Satcher has been a very staunch breastfeeding advocate in general and,
as far as I know, continues to be in his current position with the National
Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine.

However, Richard H. Carmona is the current Surgeon General. I don't know
what he's done or planning to do to address low breastfeeding rates.
Inquiries might be made through
<http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/sgoffice.htm> to check on the progress
toward accomplishing the goals set out by Dr. Satcher in 2000.

regards,
Julia


Julia R. Barrett
Freelance Science Writer
Madison, Wisconsin
608-238-8409; [log in to unmask]

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