>"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] *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html