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. 2015 May;10(4):186-96.
doi: 10.1089/bfm.2014.0152. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding

Katherine M Jones  1 , Michael L Power, John T Queenan, Jay Schulkin
Affiliations

Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding

Katherine M Jones et al. Breastfeed Med. 2015 May.

Abstract

This article's aim is to review the literature on racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates and practices, address barriers to breastfeeding among minority women, conduct a systematic review of breastfeeding interventions, and provide obstetrician-gynecologists with recommendations on how they can help increase rates among minority women. In order to do so, the literature of racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates and barriers among minority women was reviewed, and a systematic review of breastfeeding interventions among minority women on PubMed and MEDLINE was conducted. Racial and ethnic minority women continue to have lower breastfeeding rates than white women and are not close to meeting the Healthy People 2020 goals. Minority women report many barriers to breastfeeding. Major efforts are still needed to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among minority women in the United States. Obstetrician-gynecologists have a unique opportunity to promote and support breastfeeding through their clinical practices and public policy, and their efforts can have a meaningful impact on the future health of the mother and child.

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Figures

<b>FIG. 1.</b>
FIG. 1.
Rates of initiation of breastfeeding by race/ethnicity from 2000 to 2007.
<b>FIG. 2.</b>
FIG. 2.
Rates of breastfeeding at 6 months by race/ethnicity from 2000 to 2007.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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