Hello All,
Thought I would post my letter to Dr Joe Sanders, the executive director
of the AAP.  As long as we are all in fine letter-writing fettle, he
might as well feel the fire of our wrath! --Martha Johnson RN IBCLC,
Eugene OR

Dr. Joe Sanders, Executive Director
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Drive
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927

Dear Dr. Sanders,
11/21/03

I am writing to urge you to reform your position, and use your authority
in support of the release of the National Breastfeeding Awareness
Campaign, as planned, without alteration of its content or scope.  I
learned just today that representatives of the infant formula industry
have contacted DHHS, members of Congress, and the American Academy of
Pediatrics in an effort to have the breastfeeding promotion campaign
delayed or weakened.  It is my understanding that your office sent a
letter to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of DHHS, stating that the AAP had
concerns regarding the campaign’s "negative approach."  This action was
taken without consulting the AAP’s Section on Breastfeeding, the leaders
and members of which have expressed their disagreement with your stated
views.  Shame on you!  Your organization’s continued acceptance of
financial support from the infant formula industry has tainted the AAP’s
reputation and belies its commitment to child health.

This campaign is an important part of government efforts towards meeting
the Healthy People 2010 goals, which aim to increase the initiation and
duration of breastfeeding in the United States.  Increasing breastfeeding
will save a lot of money for our nation.  The U.S. government’s own
analysis of research on the economic costs of not breastfeeding finds
that our nation spends $3.6 billion every year on treatment of just three
of the illnesses and conditions that are preventable by breastfeeding.
The U.S. HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding recommends that our
government launch a public health awareness campaign to promote
breastfeeding.

The ads created by the Ad Council for this campaign came out of a
rigorous process which included 36 diverse focus groups, and a stringent
review of the medical and scientific literature regarding infant feeding
and health outcomes.   The Ad Council has had an excellent track record
in determining how to frame public health messages for maximum
effectiveness.

In light of the above, I am deeply concerned to learn that DHHS may
consider watering down the messages in this campaign.  As a registered
nurse working with mothers and babies for over 15 years, I am well aware
that the majority of new parents in the U.S. consider the choice between
formula and breastfeeding similar to a choice between regular coffee and
a gourmet espresso drink.  Everyone knows that breast is best, but most
Americans believe that formula is just fine as an alternative.  That is
exactly why the Ad Council determined that the public needs to learn more
about the risks of NOT breastfeeding.  This is not just a choice between
Brand Name and Generic, it is a health choice that has lifelong
consequences.

And that is exactly why I urge you to give your full support to the
prompt launch of the media campaign, without any change in the content of
the ads.  The infant formula industry’s profit margin will certainly
suffer if more parents choose to breastfeed, and continue breastfeeding
longer.  However, I believe that you will agree that the health of our
nation’s mothers and babies is of greater importance than the
preservation of corporate profits.

Sincerely,



Martha Johnson RN IBCLC
110 East Hilliard Lane
Eugene OR 97404


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