Healthy People 2020 Stakeholders Meeting

Bethesda, MD – May 28, 2008

Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health

Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

My name is Faith B. Ploude, I am speaking in behalf of United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA).

The USLCA is a non-profit organization in the U.S.  It consists of over 3700 active members, the majority of whom are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).  USLCA members work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to, hospitals, physician offices, WIC programs, private practice and educational institutions. We are thrilled to be with you today and to contribute to this discourse.  Four of our organization’s stated purposes relate directly to issues before us.  Allow me to share those purposes with you:

1. Foster awareness of breastfeeding and human milk feeding as important measure for health and disease prevention. 
2. Heighten recognition of the consequences of artificial feeding of infants and children.
3. Cooperate with other organizations whose aims and objectives, in whole or in part, are similar to those of USLCA.
4. Advocate for USLCA members and advise relevant authorities on issues of concern to association members.

Based on those purposes, our recommendations are as follows:

1. Promote breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding through all available avenues
2. In settings where expectant families are provided health care, marketing of breast milk substitutes should be discontinued.
3. Coordinate and streamline the promotion of breastfeeding by all interested organizations.
4. Heighten recognition of the IBCLC’s roll in providing lactation care excellence and make such care available to all mothers delivering in the United States.

When we look at the Healthy People 2020 goals, we see IBCLC as having the knowledge to create working partnerships with other institutions, to achieve health equity, to eliminate disparities, and to improve health. This can be done through the use of established community base programs and through the pooling of resources with government, business, education, private industry and non profit groups.  These associations can increase public awareness and understanding; thus educating the public on breastfeeding’s effects on lessening preventable disease, disability, injury and premature death.   

When creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all, breastfeeding is a corner stone upon which the goal can be met.  Breastfeeding is economical and environmentally friendly. Cost and environmental savings come from the absence of manufacturing waste and the elimination of related landfill trash.  Using this interdisciplinary group known as the USLCA and their advocacy program will help achieve these goals.

Breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest way to promote a lifetime of optimum health for human beings. Not just a way to feed babies!

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to Healthy People 20/20 committee.

Submitted by: 

Faith B. Ploude, BA, IBCLC, RLC

Miami, Fl

United States Lactation Consultant Association,  Advocacy Chairperson

www.uslcaonline.org