National (US) objectives are currently being set for 2010, known as Healthy
People 2010.  Comments are needed by Decembver 15, 1997.  Please read, pass
on to others, and make the time to add your voice about the importance of
having national breastfeeding objectives.  Thanks in advance for your help.

The current breastfeeding objective in HP 2000 is found in the section on
Nutrition (2.11) and Maternal Infant Health (14.9):
        "Increase to at least 75% the proportion of mothers who breastfeed      their
babies in the early postpartum period and at least 50% the      proportion who
continue breastfeeding until their babies are 5-6       months old"

This objective has resulted in increased visibility, fundability, and
programatic efforts towards improving breastfeeding rates.  However, these
objectives have currently NOT been met and further work is needed, especially
among the special target populations.

The United States is again in the process of gathering input towards the
development of the Healthy People 2010 national objectives.  You need to
share with the government how Healthy People 2000 objectives have been useful
to you and to your work.  Also, to insure that these current  breastfeeding
objectives are maintained, it is VERY IMPORTANT that all organizations who
promote, support, and protect  breastfeeding and individual breastfeeding
advocates share their thoughts with the Office of Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion.  Suggested comments:

        1.  The breastfeeding objective MUST remain in Maternal and Infant Health
                        (There can't be duplicate objectives in HP 2010, and it would be weakened
                if moved back to the nutrition section)
        2.  The new Child Health section needs to be a separate section (So as NOT
to              diminish MIH)
        3.  Breastfeeding goals should be extended to include a continuation rate of
                        25% at 12 months and this data should be collected through, as this is the
                current recommmendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics
        4.  Breastfeeding must be defined (It is important for research, program
                        evaluation, and continity of efforts that breastfeeding is defined in a
                        consistent manner during any data collection.  The technical work for this
                schema has been done by many physicians and public health officials:
                Source:  Labbok and Krasovec, "Towards Consistency in Breastfeeding
                                Definitions" in Studies in Family Planning 1990; 21, 4: 226-230

Finally a more comprehensive framework is being developed along with new
focus areas, where different objectives might be added.  If you are
interested in adding any proposed language that might be used for
breastfeeding reimbursement, please remember the consensus phrase "breastfeedi
ng support and services" was developed to include all lactation services and
should be used so that the government receives consistent language.

Please take a moment to comment via the mail or via email at the following
addresses:
        Mail:   Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
                        Attn:  Healthy People 2010 Objectives
                        200 Independence Ave, SW
                        Washington, DC 20201
        Email:  http://web.health.gov/healthypeople

For more information contact:
NABA, Barbara Heiser (tel) 410-995-3726 (fax) 410-992-1977
(email) [log in to unmask]
NABA REAL, Marsha Walker (tel) 781-893-3553 (fax) 781-893-8608
(email) [log in to unmask]