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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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https://amchp.org/database_entry/starting-out-right-positive-strategies-to-guide-adolescents-through-healthy-pregnancy-and-childbirth/

Evidence Tools
Breastfeeding

Introduction

This toolkit summarizes content from the Breastfeeding Evidence Accelerator and the MCHbest database. The peer-reviewed literature supporting this work can be found in the Established Evidence database. Use the resources below as you develop effective evidence-based/informed programs and measures.

From the MCH Block Grant Guidance. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all infants (including premature and sick newborns) exclusively breastfeed for about six months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced for 2 years or longer. However, significant differences in breastfeeding initiation and duration persist by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. Breastfeeding supports optimal growth and development, strengthens the immune system, reduces respiratory infections, gastrointestinal illness, and SIDS, and promotes neurodevelopment. Breastfed children may also be less likely to develop diabetes, childhood obesity, and asthma. Maternal benefits include reduced postpartum blood loss due to oxytocin release and possible protective effects against breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Goal. To increase the percent of infants who are breastfed and who are breastfed exclusively for six months.

Note. Access other related measures in this Population Domain through the Toolkits page.

Detail Sheet: Start with the MCH Block Grant Guidance

GOAL: To increase the percent of infants who are breastfed and who are breastfed exclusively for six months.

DEFINITION:
Numerators:
A) Number of infants for whom breastfeeding was initiated by hospital discharge
B) Number of children, ages 6 months through 2 years, who are reported by a parent to have been breastfed or fed breast milk exclusively for 6 months

Denominators:
A) Number of live births, excluding those transferred to another facility within 24 hours and who died before completion of the report (NVSS)
B) Number of children, ages 6 months through 2 years (NSCH)

Units: 100
Text: Percent

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2030 OBJECTIVE: Related to Maternal, Infant, and Child Health (MICH) Objective 15: Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed exclusively through 6 months (Baseline: 24.9% of infants born in 2015, Target: 42.4%) Related to MICH Objective 16: Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed at 1 year (Baseline: 35.9% of infants born in 2015, Target: 54.1%)

DATA SOURCES: National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) for states and territories; National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH)

MCH POPULATION DOMAIN: Perinatal/Infant Health

MEASURE DOMAIN Health Behavior

1. Accelerate with EvidenceStart with the Science

The first step to accelerate effective, evidence-based/informed programs is ensuring that the strategies we implement are meaningful and have high potential to affect desired change. Read more about using evidence-based/informed programs and then use this section to find strategies that you can adopt or adapt for your needs.

Evidence-based/Informed Strategies: MCHbest Database

The following strategies have emerged from studies in the scientific literature as being effective in advancing the measure. Use the links below to read more about each strategy or access the MCHbest database to find additional strategies.

Chart of Evidence-Linked Strategies and Tools

Evidence-Informed

Evidence-Based

Mixed Evidence

Emerging Evidence

Expert Opinion

Moderate Evidence

Scientifically Rigorous

 

 

Field-Based Strategies: Find promising programs from AMCHP’s Innovation Hub

Cutting Edge:

Emerging:

Promising:

Best:

 

2. Think Upstream with Planning ToolsLead with the Need

The second step in developing effective, evidence-based/informed programs challenges us to plan upstream to ensure that our work addresses issues early and is measurable in “turning the curve” on big issues that face MCH populations. Read more about moving from root causes to responsive programs and then use this section to align your work with the data and needs of your populations.

Move from Need to Strategy

Use Root-Cause Analysis (RCA) and Results-Based Accountability (RBA) tools to build upon the science to determine how to address needs.

Planning Tools: Use these tools to move from data to action

3. Work Together with Implementation ToolsMove from Planning to Practice

The third step in developing effective, evidence-based/informed programs calls us to work together to ensure that programs are implementable and moveable within the realities of Title V programs and lead to improved health outcomes for all people. Read more about implementation tools designed for MCH population change and then use this section to develop responsive strategies to bring about change that is responsive to the needs of your populations.

Additional MCH Evidence Center Resources: Access supplemental materials from the literature

Implementation Resources: Use these field-generated resources to affect change

Practice. The following tools can be used to translate evidence to action to advance this NPM:

Partnership. The following organizations focus efforts on supporting breastfeeding:


References

Introductory References: From the MCH Block Grant Guidance

1 Meek JY, Noble L; Section on Breastfeeding. Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics.2022;150(1):e2022057988. doi:10.1542/peds.2022-057988.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.