RE: Keith Currie (economics of breastfeeding)

A good article to review:  "The Cost of Not Breastfeeding: A commentary: by
Janice M. Riordan in The Journal of Human Lactation 13(2) , 1997

Abstract: "Additional annual national health care costs, incurred for
treatment of four medical conditions in infants who were not breastfed were
estimated: infant diarrhea : $291.3 million; respiratory syncytial virus,
$225 million; insulin-dep. diabetes mellitus, from $9.6 - $124.8 million;
and otitis media, $660 million. (these four alone create just over $1
billion of extra health care costs each year).... For the average family
the cost of purchasing formula is twice the cost of supplemental food for
the breastfeeding mother......
Some website addresses that may help:

INFACT Canda
http://www.infact canada.ca

Jane's Breastfeeding Related Links
http://webzone1.co.uk/www/cathus/janelink/htm

LACTNET: and email discussion Group
to subscribe send an email message to:

[log in to unmask]
in the body type the command JOIN LACTNET your name

-this is for lactation professionals with membership of over 900 chatting
breastfeeding



Committed to Community,
Dorina Rico
Health Promotion Supervisor (ag)
Ext. 2223
-------------
Original Text
From: Keith Currie <[log in to unmask]>, on 7/26/98 11:32 PM:
To: <[log in to unmask]>

Has anyone have some data on the economic benefits of breastfeeding
(reducing
health care costs)? I am invoved in a demonstration project here in
Edmonton where
a group of health educators/cultural brokers provide service in 6 cultural
communities.
One of many services provided for families experiencing language and
cultural barriers                is breastfeeding education and support.
One of several
outcomes of the project is increased breastfeeding rates. In the Chinese
community the breastfeeding rates for mothers who
were invoved with an educator/broker is 79% versus 29%. We are proud of
this outcome, but
now however we are trying to demonstrate cost benefits of our work.
    Any help would be appreciated.
Leeann Currie
Coordinator Multicultural Community Health Development Project.