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Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center

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Achieving Breastfeeding Equity and Justice
in Black Communities:
Past, Present, and Future

By Aunchalee E.L. Palmquist, Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu, Kimarie Bugg
Added: May 18, 2021
LearnPartner Content

This paper was published in June 2021 in Breastfeeding Medicine.

Authors: Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu, Kimarie Bugg, and Aunchalee E.L. Palmquist

Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is protective of maternal and infant health across the life course. Increasing breastfeeding rates in Black communities is an important public health strategy to address maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.

Methods: Data trends for the past 10 years suggest that Black-led community efforts; local, state, and national initiatives; and maternity care practices that are supportive of breastfeeding have been effective in improving and increasing breastfeeding rates among Black women.

Results: Yet breastfeeding disparities and inequities in Black communities persist. Systemic and structural barriers, such as racism, bias, and inequitable access to lactation resources and support continue to be issues in the United States.

Conclusion: Going forward, significant investments are needed to decolonize breastfeeding research and clinical practice. Public health and policy priorities need to center on listening to Black women, and funding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations and researchers conducting innovative projects and research.

Download Now

Written by:
Kelli Sheppard
Published on:
May 18, 2021

Resource Information

Author: Aunchalee E.L. Palmquist, Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu, Kimarie Bugg
Audience: Clinical, Partner
Type: Report
Category: Engagement, Equity
Dimension: Learn
Topics: Black Maternal Health, Black Women, Breastfeeding, Community, Engagement, Equity, Race, Racial Disparities
MHLIC is committed to providing reliable, accurate resources that will increase the user’s knowledge and/or ability to improve the state of maternal health in the United States. Some of the resources may be primarily informational and others may be oriented more towards capacity-building to implement a program or action. Many will be a blend of the two. Read our full terms and disclaimer here.

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This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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