| Report - United
States Breastfeeding Committee |
Report to ILCA / USBC Meeting
August 1-2, 2003
Amy Spangler - ILCA's representative at USBC
Carol Ryan - liaison for the Ad Council
This bi-annual USBC meeting was held in Washington, D C, USA,
on August 1-2, 2003. Participants included governmental,
non-governmental, and professional, non-profit organizations.
The first day was dedicated to committee and work group
meetings. There were no organizational reports. Highlights
follow:
1. Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign: Dr. Suzanne Haynes,
Office on Women's Health (OWH), Department of Human Health and
Services gave a short report on the progress of the National
Breastfeeding Campaign. The launch date remains undetermined
but October-November 2003 is projected. New print ads have
been developed, and all pertinent information is "embargoed."
The OWH facilitated a review of the scientific data by a
select group of researchers (Kay Dewey, Larry Grummer-Strawn
et al) to assure that the information cited in the
advertisements was accurate and defensible. The United States
Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) member organizations will
receive a list of the scientific sources prior to the campaign
launch.
2. Definitions of Breastfeeding: The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Breastfeeding
Committee (USBC), and the Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium
(BPC) have co-authored a paper on the definitions of
breastfeeding, i.e., exclusive, partial, etc. The JHL is
regarded as a front runner for its publication.
3. Membership: Membership remains a controversial issue. In an
effort to resolve this issue, a facilitated discussion will be
entertained by the Membership Committee and the USBC
Leadership Team.
4. Administrative Services: Because the USBC has a limited
budget, a request will be made to all member organizations to
consider the feasibility of providing an administrative home
for the USBC until such time as the USBC is able to dedicate
more money to administrative operations.
5. WIC Reauthorization: A letter in support of WIC
reauthorization will be drafted by the Legislative Work Group
and the Rapid Response Team and reviewed by the Leadership
Team.
6. USBC Meeting Dates: There will be an e-mail discussion
regarding a proposed change of meeting dates for 2005.
Consideration will be given to better accommodating the
congressional calendar and facilitating meetings with members
of Congress.
7. Assessment of Work Site Lactation Services: The MCHB
contract for developing guidelines for employers to assist
them in assessing work site lactation support services has
been approved. The Women and Work Workgroup, under the
direction of Julia Block, will be coordinating the contract.
8. Oral Health White Paper: A second contract in the amount of
$24,000 calls for the completion of a white paper on
breastfeeding and oral health. Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Chair of the
Health Care Practices Work Group will be coordinating the
contract.
9. FDA Meeting: The FDA has asked to meet the members of the
USBC to discuss breast pump issues such as use, misuse, need
for regulation or oversight, etc. Marsha Walker will
coordinate this effort on behalf of the Leadership Team.
10. Meeting of Breastfeeding Coalitions: The USBC has
identified its priority project-a national meeting of
representatives from state breastfeeding coalitions and task
forces. Partial funding for the event will be sought from the
CDC and other government agencies. A team of volunteers have
been identified to coordinate the event. |
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