Oral

A primary goal of this session is to highlight important efforts underway to reduce racial/ethnic and income disparities in breastfeeding. Speakers will present on topics related to quantitative and qualitative approaches to measuring and reporting inequalities in breastfeeding, particularly among African Americans; how to engage communities in breastfeeding research and promotion efforts; and how WIC can be instrumental in helping to reduce income-related disparities in breastfeeding practices. It is hoped that participants will take what they have learned in this session and apply it to their own research and practice.

Session Objectives: Describe at least two strategies that can be used to collect data from African Americans regarding their perceptions and attitudes toward breastfeeding initiation and duration. Discuss how to engage community members to obtain information that can be used in a breastfeeding-related media campaign. List at least two ways that disparities in breastfeeding practices in the US might be ameliorated.