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SUMMARY
Although
breastfeeding is well accepted as the optimal method of infants
feeding, the US failed to reach the goals set for the year
2000. Support from employers, health insurers, health providers, and
society are required to reach the goals set forth in Healthy People
2010-75% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, 50% of infants still
receive breast milk at 6 months, and 25% of infants are still
breasted at 1 year of age. In today's era of cost accountability and
economic competition, these groups likely will desire information
regarding the financial effects of breastfeeding and breastfeeding
promotion from their perspectives.
Although much research still is needed in this area, evidence
suggests that a significant return on investment is likely with
breastfeeding promotion. Also, the finances of health care must be
viewed within the concept of value. In health care, value can be
through of as the cost required to achieve a specified
outcome. In lay terms, this can be thought of as "how much bang we
get for our buck." Breastfeeding clearly improves the health of
infants and mothers and seems to result in cost savings for parents,
insures, employers, and society, which means that the medical and
economic value of breastfeeding is high.
To reap
the health and economic benefits associated with breastfeeding,
society must support breastfeeding promotion, which most likely
will necessitate a coordinated US breastfeeding program .The US
government is in a unique position to accomplish this goal as it
views the associated costs from the joint perspectives of employer,
health insurer, medical provider, and society. Through support of
such a program, the US government likely will benefit significantly
by improving the health of children and its financial bottom line.
(The Pediatric Clinic of North America)
BREASTFEEDING 2001, PART I:
THE EVIDENCE FOR BREASTFEEDING
Volume 48.Number1.February 2001
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