Beyond Statistics: Uncovering the Roots of Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding.

Abstract

* Abbreviations: BFHI — : Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative CDC — : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention IHS — : Indian Health Service Breastfeeding is for white women. This sentiment was expressed by several Black women featured in Chocolate Milk , an eye-opening documentary series that was shown during a 2-week virtual breastfeeding elective created for medical students and implemented amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.1 In addition to learning about proper latch techniques, effective positions, and the breastfeeding challenges that women face, our learning also revealed racial disparities in breastfeeding. As 2 medical students who identify as Black and Native American, we desired to dig deeper to better understand the roots of these disparities and the systemic changes we can advocate for within medicine. Racial disparities in breastfeeding are similar to those that persist in other facets of health, including infant mortality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 25.6% of all US infants born in 2017 were exclusively breastfed through 6 months of age. Whereas the 6-month exclusive breastfeeding rate among white infants born in 2017 was above the national average at 28.7%, only 21.2% of Black infants born in the same year and 19.6% of Native American infants born in 2015 (there is a lack of reporting after 2015) were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life.2 Given the known benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and infant and the increased risks of comorbid health conditions for these communities, there is much to learn about how … Address correspondence to Suet Kam Lam, MD, MPH, MS, Department of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, S1-20, Cleveland, OH 44195. E-mail: skl48{at}case.edu