Cincinnati Annual Conference to Eliminate Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding & Infant Mortality
RHE, LLC. operating as a strategic planning consultant to assist community-based organizations, the local boards of health, and other health agencies with improvements to current health inequities regarding health services and infant mortality, developing comprehensive strategic planning tools for eliminating racial disparities. Serving on the conference planning committee, Chairing the conference poster session, serving as a content expert, conference host, workshop speaker, and key topic moderator/presenter: Annual Conference to Eliminate Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding and Infant Mortality, Ohio Infant Mortality Summit (2016, 2017, & 2018)
Exploring the Breastfeeding Experiences of African American Mothers Through a Critical Race Theory Lens
Background: Data from the Ohio Department of Health for Hamilton County reveal that the rate of breastfeeding steadily increased for non-Hispanic white babies from 72% initiation in 2006 to 79.8% initiation in 2018. Over the same time period, the rate of breastfeeding initiation increased from 52% to 65.7% for African American babies. Despite positive gains in breastfeeding for the African American community, significant disparities remain.
Research Aim/Question(s): Our aim was to gain insight into the breastfeeding experiences of African American women and professionals working primarily with African American women to promote and support breastfeeding.