Written on behalf of USLCA.

The greatest public health challenges facing the U.S. today are not the acute illnesses of a generation ago.  Today’s challenges cannot be overcome with a dose of antibiotics or a childhood vaccine.  Diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses are the major public health concerns in the nation.  African Americans are over-represented in every category.

According to the CDC, health disparities between African Americans and other racial and ethnic populations in life expectancy, death rates, infant mortality and other indicators are striking.  For example, in 2009, the average white American could expect to live more than four years longer than the average African American.

In 2006, African Americans between the ages of 45 and 74 had higher death rates from heart disease and strokes than did men and women of the same age from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. African Americans are more likely to be obese, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease than other Americans.  More African American women die from breast cancer than do other American women. And shockingly, infants of African American mothers are almost twice as likely to die as those of white American women.

The reasons for these health disparities are many, ranging from education to access, economics to accountability.  Promoting good health for all Americans requires a multi-pronged approach.  But let’s start at the beginning.  Start with breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding reduces the likelihood of obesity, of diabetes, and heart disease.  Breastfeeding offers some protection from developing breast cancer, and in particular, a type of aggressive breast cancer to which African American women in particular fall victim. And overall, infants who are breastfed are more likely to survive.

Although gains are being made, African American women are the least likely ethnic group to breastfeed in the nation.  In January of 2011, Surgeon General Regina Benjamin issued an historic Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding.  In her “Call to Action”, Dr. Benjamin outlined action steps for all of society to support mothers in their decision to breastfeed.  These steps call for changes in prenatal education, community networks, hospital practices, and employer support  to create a community of care, a web of support, and an entire culture that protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding.

Increasing breastfeeding success at the population level significantly increases health and wellness.  The Surgeon General’s “Call to Action” also includes increased access to International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are health care professionals with the experience and expertise to help mothers and infants of all racial and ethnic backgrounds overcome breastfeeding barriers and enjoy breastfeeding success.