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Marketing infant formula to pregnant Latinas is associated with reduced rates of initiating breastfeeding, shorter duration of breastfeeding, and increased use of formula.
In September 2016, the National WIC Association (NWA) announced that they were ending their relationship with infant formula manufacturers. The NWA is the education arm and advocacy voice of the nation’s 12,200 WIC public health service provider agencies and the 8 million WIC mothers and young children.
In 2004, the NWA began taking the first steps to prohibit infant formula manufacturers from exhibiting, sponsoring, or promoting formula at NWA Nutrition & Breastfeeding Conferences. Their efforts expanded over the next decade, and in 2015, the NWA Voting Members approved a resolution that dissolves relationships between the National WIC Association (NWA) and infant formula manufacturers.
The NWA will no longer invite infant formula manufacturers to be members, exhibitors at conferences, advertisers or sponsors of events and activities. The NWS encourages local agencies to adopt the NWA Six Steps to Achieve Breastfeeding Goals for WIC Clinics and builds partnerships with other public health organizations and the USDA to encourage and support breastfeeding.
Read this Salud Hero story and watch the video about WIC employees that started a Baby Cafe to support all breastfeeding mothers in the San Antonio area.
Spread the word about this huge change that has the potential to positively impact Latino Health.
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
