The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68382

Kieuly Dang, MPH Candidate¹, Rickelle Richards, MPH Candidate¹, Anne Ball, MPH², Aimee Centivany, MPH Candidate², and Jeanette H. Magnus, MD, PhD³. (1) Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women's Health, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 127 Elks Place EP-7, New Orleans, LA 70112-2632, (2) Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women's Health, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, 127 Elks Place EP-7, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health, 1440 Canal Street, SL 29, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-588-5100, jmagnus@tulane.edu

Exclusive breastfeeding is the most cost-effective health promotion/disease prevention activity that a new mother can choose to perform. Unfortunately, the rates of breastfeeding are relatively low in the U.S. and particularly in Louisiana, especially among African American women. An 18-month Community-Based Demonstration Project on Breastfeeding has been developed by the Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health to increase breastfeeding awareness and consideration in New Orleans. The two components of the project are providing culturally tailored workshops for health professionals on breastfeeding issues pertaining to African-Americans, and integrating activities (mother-to-mother support groups and lay breastfeeding advisors) within an African-American community to raise breastfeeding awareness and consideration. Throughout the progress of the project, evaluations are conducted through baseline and follow-up surveys. With our anticipated success, this project will become a model for future breastfeeding programs in other African-American communities.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Promote breastfeeding in an African American community.
• Develop a culturally sensitive breastfeeding program in an African American community.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.