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]