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Breast-Feeding Promotion Interventions: Good Public Health and Economic Sense

Journal of Perinatology volume 22, pages 78–81 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The health benefits of breast-feeding are well documented, as are the positive effects of breast-feeding promotion interventions. There is a clear dose–response relationship between breast-feeding and infant health in the first year of life, and beyond. Further, nearly all breast-feeding promotion interventions improve — at least minimally — breast-feeding initiation and duration rates. However, the extent to which the costs of such interventions might be offset by the potential health care cost savings during the infant's first year of life has not been examined. From a health policy perspective, such an economic analysis is indicated.

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Notes

  1. Work conducted for the Weiler Hospital Breast-feeding Committee of MMC found that of the plans surveyed, four do not cover the service, while one will authorize it for teen mothers or after a complicated delivery. A large Medicaid managed care plan in the area decides on a case-by-case basis. The medical center's IPA does not cover these services.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Neil Leibowitz, JD, for his editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA

    Karen Bonuck PhD, Peter S Arno PhD, Margaret M Memmott MPH, Kathy Freeman DrPH, Marji Gold MD & Diane Mckee MD

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  1. Karen Bonuck PhD
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  2. Peter S Arno PhD
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  3. Margaret M Memmott MPH
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  4. Kathy Freeman DrPH
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  5. Marji Gold MD
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  6. Diane Mckee MD
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This work was supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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Bonuck, K., Arno, P., Memmott, M. et al. Breast-Feeding Promotion Interventions: Good Public Health and Economic Sense. J Perinatol 22, 78–81 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210620

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