Events > Breastfeeding Summit

The Hospital Breastfeeding Summit brought together a select group of decision makers, community leaders, advocates, and stakeholders who are actively involved with reducing health disparities and promoting the health and wellbeing of the community. Summit participants were part of a dynamic process that will lead to the publication of a White Paper.

Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the great equalizers available to reduce the impact of social inequality and to narrow alarming health disparities. Birth hospitals are in a unique position to facilitate exclusive breastfeeding during the critical first hours and days after birth and make a lasting impact on an infant's life.

Los Angeles County ranks 44^th among counties in California in its in-hospital rates of exclusive breastfeeding. More than half of the poorest performing hospitals in the state are located in Los Angeles County (A Fair Start for Better Health: California Hospitals Must Close the Gap in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates) by California WIC Association/UC Davis Lactation Center. International and U.S. health organizations promote exclusive breastfeeding as one of the keys to remedy a myriad of health problems plaguing infants, children, mothers, the community, and society. Obesity, diabetes, breast cancer, and SIDS are but four of the serious chronic and acute medical conditions where the lack of exclusive breastfeeding is a risk factor. Further, exclusive breastfeeding brings social gains - enhanced family cohesiveness, stronger communities, and reduced pollution. Better health results in a positive economic impact for the family, community, and society.

Click here for the formal report of the summit proceedings - Addressing the Crisis in Hospital Breastfeeding Rates in Los Angeles County Contents:

• Breastfeeding - It's About Everything, and It's Too Important Not Too
• Breastfeeding Success: The Central Role of the Hospital
• Using Public Data to Improve Breastfeeding Rates in California
• What Mothers' Stories Reveal
• Framing the Issues
• Recommendations
• Tools for Change
• Effective Actions to Increase Exclusive Hospital Breastfeeding
• Roster of Summit Participants

Click here for more information about the hospital breastfeeding rates report - A Fair Start for Better Health: California Hospitals Must Close the Gap in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates