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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Melissa C. Bartick, MD, MS, Department of Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617 546 -0794, melissabartick@earthlink.net, Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC, National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy, 254 Conant Road, Weston, MA 02493, Barbara Popper, BA, IBCLC, Federation of Children with Special Needs, 1135 Tremont Street, Suite 420, Boston, MA 02120, Cynthia Turner-Maffei, MA, IBCLC, Baby-Friendly USA; Healthy Children Project, 327 Quaker Meeting House Road, E. Sandwich, MA 02537, and Anne Merewood, MPH, IBCLC, Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, 91 E Concord St 4th Fl Rm 4121, Boston, MA 02118.

Background: Advocates and public health officials can work more effectively when they join forces. In breastfeeding, specific issues that benefit from collaboration include eradication of the infant formula influence in the hospital; collection of accurate breastfeeding data, and creation of educational and resource materials. Goals: To operate an effective partnership between a state breastfeeding coalition and a state department of public health, and to bring about fundamental statewide breastfeeding improvements. Methods: Members of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health sit on the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, and DPH officials regularly speak at Coalition conferences. The collaboration dates back years, but accelerated after the formation of a statehouse working group on breastfeeding. Together, the Coalition and the DPH worked to create perinatal, breastfeeding-supportive hospital regulations. In addition, with input from Coalition members, the DPH worked to change vague language around breastfeeding data collection on the birth certificate. Results: In December 2005, the Massachusetts Public Health Council created perinatal regulations with a strong breastfeeding component, setting new standards for physician education and lactation support. The regulations also prohibit direct marketing of infant formula to mothers in the hospital; the first time such a regulation was passed in the US. In 2006, the DPH will change the way breastfeeding information is collected on the birth certificate. In addition, the Coalition and DPH have co-produced literature and resource guides for providers and breastfeeding women. Conclusion: State coalitions and DPHs can work together effectively to bring about critical public health changes at the state level.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant should be able to

• Construct a model by which a community based health advocacy organization can partner with a state Department of Public Health. 2)Describe the process by which innovative regulations can be written, with buy in from the community.
• Analyze the process for achieving culture change through use of data and evidence.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Post-Abortion

Related Web page: www.massbfc.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation