PROTECTING, MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF ALL MINNESOTANS

Helen Jackson Lockett-El

Racial Equity & Breastfeeding

MBC Conference, 10/25/19Racial Equity & BreastfeedingH. Jackson Lockett-El

Center for Health Equity (CHE) Mission

The Center for Health Equity’s mission is to CONNECT, STRENGTHEN & AMPLIFY health equity efforts within MDH and across the state of MN.

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/equity/about/handoutprograms.pdf

Racial Equity & Breastfeeding Structure

www.healthconnectone.org/black-breastfeeding-after-a-history-of-trauma

Mini exercise – shout it out!

What do you think of when you hear the words health equity?

What is health equity?

Health equity means achieving the conditions in which all people have the opportunity to realize their health potential — the highest level of health

possible for that person — without limits imposed by structural inequities.

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Social and Economic

Factors40%

Health Behaviors

30%

Clinical Care10%

Physical Environment

10%

Genes and Biology

10%What

creates

health

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A type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage.

Or

Disparities in health that are a result of systemic, avoidable and unjust social and economic policies and practices that create barriers to opportunity.

Health Inequity

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What does with race have to do with inequity?

Inequity & Race

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What does racial inequity have to do with breastfeeding?

Racial Inequity

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African American History

Key periods of Africans and their American descendants in the United States

Racism, African American Women, and Their Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Review of Historical and Contemporary Evidence and Implications for Health Equity - Health Equity Volume 2.1, 2018

.

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Historical Perspective

Slavery – Black women were forced to breastfeed white infants.

Wet nurse was the safest and most common alternative to mother’s breastmilk.

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Historical Perspective

Late 1800s: Commercially prepared formula in powdered form was born but was very expensive

• Iron-fortified formula introduced in the US in 1959

• Aggressive advertising to public 1970s and ‘80s

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Historical Perspective

September 26, 1972: A new law established a Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as a 2-year pilot program

1992: To encourage breastfeeding, a WIC food package is specifically designed to benefit women who exclusively breastfeed their infants

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• What were some of the challenges facing African American women?

• What is the general attitude about African American women and their families?

African American Women & Medical Systems

Community Myth

Why is the rate of breastfeeding lowest the African American community?

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Your role in supporting African American Breastfeeding

▪ Establish an “authentic” relationship and begin the conversation early to educate on the benefits of breastfeeding

▪ Don’t make assumptions about families, invite them to share their opinions

▪ Engage culturally appropriate peer and lactation educators to assist in overcoming potential barriers

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Your role in supporting African American Breastfeeding

▪ Does your membership/coalition reflect the community you serve?

▪ What are you willing to change?

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WWW.HEALTH.MN.GOV

Helen Jackson Lockett-El

Helen.Jackson.Lockett-El@state.mn.us

651-201-5801

Thank you.