The 13th annual Mothers’ Index <http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B9def2ebe-10ae-432c-9bd0-df91d2eba74a%7D/STATE-OF-THE-WORLDS-MOTHERS-REPORT-2012-FINAL.PDF>published by Save the Children <http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm>evaluates the status of women’s health, nutrition, education, economic well-being and political participation throughout the world. It assesses and ranks 165 countries both in the industrialized and developing world relative to these markers.The US ranked the worst for breastfeeding in the 36 industialized countries that were measured and comes in at 25th in the overall mother's index rankings. This comes at a time when Congress is considering the removal of the $60 million for WIC peer counselors, something we simply cannot afford to allow to happen. Perhaps we can use these dismal rankings in our advocacy work as rationale for improving support for breastfeeding women in the US. Read the entire report at http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B9def2ebe-10ae-432c-9bd0-df91d2eba74a%7D/STATE-OF-THE-WORLDS-MOTHERS-REPORT-2012-FINAL.PDF To send a letter to Congress urging the retention of the WIC peer counselor funding go to http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5162/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10969 Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC Weston, MA *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome