FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Grace Adams
PHONE: (310) 938-2682
E-MAIL: gadams@BreastfeedLA.org

Breastfeeding Task Force Applauds County Agency’s Move to Support Breastfeeding Employees

Lactation Accommodation and Breastfeeding Support Services Now Available in Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Facilities

Los Angeles, CA, March 15, 2004 --- The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles will present the Family Health Promotion Award to Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, Director of Public Health of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services for its continuing commitment to support and promote breastfeeding in the workplace upon the opening of the new lactation room, located in the Superior Court Building on 600 South Commonwealth in Los Angeles. This is the second such facility to benefit from the County’s breastfeeding support programs. The County’s programs provide employees lactation rooms where breastfeeding mothers can express their milk throughout the day with access to hand washing facilities, comfortable accommodations, and support services, including nutrition and breastfeeding information. At this facility, the room will be available to breastfeeding employees of the Department of Health Services and the Superior Court Building.

As of January 2002, the State of California passed a law (AB 1025) requiring employers to provide unpaid break time and a private space to express breast milk during the workday. Breastfeeding friendly workplaces have been shown to decrease employee absenteeism by up to 57% due to the health benefits for both mother and baby, while enhancing employee productivity, loyalty, and morale.

“Women with infants comprise one of the most important segments of the U.S. workforce,” said Karen Peters, executive director of the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles. “We commend the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services for its leadership in providing programs to support a mother's choice to continue to breastfeed when she returns to work. Programs such as this provide health benefits to women and infants, while providing employers’ real business benefits such as increased employee retention and lower health costs.”

The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about breastfeeding support and decreasing the societal barriers to breastfeeding. Many mothers fail to breastfeed or prematurely wean because of a perceived or actual lack of support from their employers. The Breastfeeding Works project will decrease those barriers by helping employers to realize the value of supporting breastfeeding working mothers. For more information, please visit its website at www.BreastfeedLA.org

County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services, Office of Communications

For Immediate Release: For more information contact:

March 15, 2004 Maria Iacobo at 213/240-8144

Many Women Breastfeed But Stop Too Early

Lactation Rooms in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Facilities Receive Award

Los Angeles, CA, March 15, 2004 --- According to a report just released by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, more mothers in Los Angeles County are initiating breastfeeding (82%). The overall breastfeeding initiation rate is higher now compared to the previous survey (1999) estimated percentage of 79%.

However, disparities persist, with African-American (63%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (78%) women having lower breastfeeding initiation rates compared to Latinas (83%) and White women (90%). Furthermore, breastfeeding rates decline steadily over the infant’s first year for all major racial/ethnic groups, with only half of all mothers still breastfeeding their infants at six months of age, and less than one-third at 12 months.

As of January 2002, the State of California passed a law (AB 1025) requiring employers to provide unpaid break time and a private space to express breast milk during the workday. Findings from the 2002-03 Los Angeles County Health Survey revealed that 60% of mothers stopped breastfeeding when they returned to work within six months of giving birth.

The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles will present the Family Health Promotion Award to Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services for its continuing commitment to support and promote breastfeeding in the workplace upon the opening of the new lactation room. The County’s programs provide employees lactation rooms where breastfeeding mothers can express their milk throughout the day with access to hand washing facilities, comfortable accommodations, and support services, including nutrition and breastfeeding information.

“Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life”, said Jonathan Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and County Health Officer. “Lactation programs help working mothers to continue breastfeeding their infants by providing a clean, private place to express milk during the workday. Programs such as this have a positive impact in extending breastfeeding duration.”

For a copy of the complete study on Breastfeeding Practices in Los Angeles County, visit: www.lapublichealth.org/ha

Health survey background: The Los Angeles County Health Survey is a periodic, population-based telephone survey that collects information on socio-demographic characteristics, health status, health behaviors and access to health services among adults and children in the County. The 2002-03 survey collected information on a random sample of more than 8,000 adults and nearly 6,000 children with interviews offered in six languages.

Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control and community and family health and comprises more than 4,000 employees with an annual budget exceeding $600 million.

Support to lactating moms in the workplace is important. It allows breastfeeding moms balance work and family life and most certainly enable them to successfully provide their infant children the best nutrition available.

The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles, through its Breastfeeding Works Program, recognizes the efforts of companies who understand the need to provide an environment for its employees to a achieve a balanced work and family life. Twice a year, the task force will recognize companies that provide lactation accommodation programs with the Family Health Promotion Award.

To apply and be considered for this award, please complete our on-line application. Applications will be considered twice a year. Deadlines will be on January 15th and June 15th of each year.

Click here for more information.

Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles Press Releases

March 15, 2004 Maria Iacobo at 213/240-8144