The American Public Health Association (APHA) recently adopted 20 policies addressing a broad range of issues in public health from tobacco-free schools and global climate change to including eye care in disaster preparedness and a ban on lead-based paint. The brief summaries of issues are at http://www.apha.org/about/news/pressreleases/2008/2007policies.htm

and are well worth reading. Issues include the following:

 

 # 200714 - Breastfeeding as a fundamental public health issue ? Affirms that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life with continued breastfeeding for at least the first one or two years of life is the biological norm, and that all alternative feeding methods carry health risks in comparison, with rare exceptions. Recognizes that breastfeeding is viewed as a public health issue and insists that maternal and child and comprehensive public health policies include attention to breastfeeding protection, education, promotion and support. Identifies the exclusive breastfeeding rate as a leading health indicator in the goals of the nation. Denounces aggressive marketing of human milk substitutes, particularly in health care settings.





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Mirine R. Dye, MPH(cand), CLE
Serving the Florida Keys
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition
www.KeysHealthyStart.org 

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