In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • This is Our Why Line of USBC Products Available Now
  • Introducing the 2022-2023 USBC Board of Directors
  • New USBC Members: San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition and Nourish & Thrive
• National News
  • USDA Proposes Updates to WIC Food Packages
  • Access to Donor Milk Act Organizational Sign On Letter Launches
  • Insurance Payer Policy Guidance Released: Innovative Approaches to Coverage Of Breastfeeding Support, Equipment, and Supplies
  • NACCHO Consultant Funding Opportunity on Infant & Toddler Nutrition Materials
  • Prominent Celebrities Write Joint Letter Supporting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
  • Great Lakes Webinar on Lactation Counseling through an Equity Lens
  • Report Evaluating Dietary Guidelines for Americans Process
  • Nominations Open for Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality
  • Racial Healing Action Kits
  • Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act Committee Report
  • CDC PRAMS Information Collection Request
  • Webinar on Federal Agencies Enforcing Labor Protections
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

 

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USBC Updates

This is Our Why Line of USBC Products Available Now

This week, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee launched a limited-time product line in the Bonfire store with the new This is Our Why design. Featuring a sweet image of a babe in arms, the design is available on products ranging from hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts, to long and short sleeved T-shirts, and even tank tops. With a variety of sizes and colors to choose from, we hope you will find something that delights you, a mom in your life, a family member, a teammate, or another person who cares about babies! The USBC receives a small portion of each sale to fuel our advocacy efforts. Shoppers may also add a donation of any amount to their purchase. Shop today to receive your items by the holidays.

Introducing the 2022-2023 USBC Board of Directors

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to introduce the 2022-2023 Board of Directors. Elected by our Voting Member organizations, the USBC Board of Directors is a talented cohort of breastfeeding advocates dedicated to supporting the organization's mission and vision. Board members bring a wide range of expertise and experiences to their board service, and the composition of this group directly reflects the organization's deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation. The USBC is proud that its Board is among the most diverse of any national organization. The USBC warmly welcomes our newly elected Board members, Amber Kapuamakamaeokalani Estelle Granite, IBC, GPCE, and Stephanne R. Rupnicki, CLC. Amber and Stephanne come to the USBC with rich backgrounds and experience amplifying breastfeeding support and advocacy for Indigenous communities. Learn more about them, and all of our talented board members, by reading their "Why I Serve" statements on the USBC website.

New USBC Members: San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition and Nourish & Thrive

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to welcome two new organizations to the USBC membership! The San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition comes to the USBC with the mission to improve the health and well-being of families by protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding through education, outreach, advocacy, and service. Nourish & Thrive works to improve breastfeeding rates for black birthing people by paying for lactation professionals and offering a database of black lactation professionals to choose from. The USBC warmly welcomes both organizations to the membership community!

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National News

USDA Proposes Updates to WIC Food Packages

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service announced proposed changes to food packages that are provided to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants. This rulemaking proposes to revise regulations governing the WIC food packages to align them with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and reflect recommendations made by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) in its 2017 report, "Review of WIC Food Packages: Improving Balance and Choice," while promoting nutrition security and equity and taking into account program administration considerations. The proposed changes are intended to provide WIC participants with a wider variety of foods that align with the latest nutritional science; provide WIC State agencies with greater flexibility to prescribe and tailor food packages that accommodate participants' special dietary needs and personal and cultural food preferences; provide more equitable access to supplemental foods; and better promote and support individual breastfeeding goals of participants to help establish successful long-term breastfeeding. Individuals and organizations are invited to submit comments on the proposal by February 23, 2023.

USBC Insight: Responding to public comment opportunities is not lobbying. The federal government is actively soliciting your input to inform its decision-making. The National WIC Association has published a blog, "Broad Support for USDA Effort to Enhance Access to Healthy Foods for WIC Families." The USBC is preparing a blog summarizing the rule process and key components that support breastfeeding.

Access to Donor Milk Act Organizational Sign On Letter Launches

The USBC-affiliated Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Constellation has released an organizational sign on letter in support of the Access to Donor Milk Act (ADMA) of 2022, (H.R. 9196). The ADMA would help increase life-saving access to donor milk, particularly important in light of this year's formula recall and shortage, and as part of a robust infrastructure for infant nutrition security. The initial deadline to sign on is Monday, December 12. Signers will be added on a rolling basis. 

Insurance Payer Policy Guidance Released: Innovative Approaches to Coverage Of Breastfeeding Support, Equipment, and Supplies

The USBC-affiliated Lactation Support Professionals Constellation has released a document titled "Payer Policy Guidance: Innovative Approaches to Coverage Of Breastfeeding Support, Equipment, and Supplies." The guidance aims to provide health insurers with information to consider when updating their policies, in order to better mobilize the workforce while increasing access to care. The document outlines what breastfeeding families need and when; the lactation workforce composition; and innovative ways to leverage existing payment mechanisms while bolstering community support.  

NACCHO Consultant Funding Opportunity on Infant & Toddler Nutrition Materials

With support from the Center for Disease Contol and Prevention's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, the National Association of County and City Health Officials issued a Request for Proposals titled "Culturally Responsive Nutrition materials for Infants and Toddlers." The RFP will fund up to two consultants to develop culturally-responsive educational materials for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) communities. Two awards, with funding up to $10,000 each, are available. The application deadline is Sunday, December 11. Selections will be made by Thursday, December 15. 

Prominent Celebrities Write Joint Letter Supporting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Prominent women leaders in entertainment, fashion, sports, business, and tech joined together to write an open letter to Senate Majority Leader Schumer. The letter urges the Senator to ensure respect and equality for women and moms across the country by bringing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to a vote by the end of the year. The PWFA would ensure reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including lactation. Learn how you can take action an amplify this message with the A Better Balance blog titled, "Take Action: Demand a Vote on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act!" 

Great Lakes Webinar on Lactation Counseling through an Equity Lens

Registration is now open for a Great Lakes Webinar titled "The Importance of Lactation Counseling through an Equity Lens." Participants will learn about the implications of equity-centered lactation counseling and about strategies for serving families in new ways. This webinar is approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse's contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 community health worker CEU, 1 certified health education specialist CECH, and 1 CME until November 21, 2023. 

Report Evaluating Process for Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released an evaluation report titled "Evaluating the Process to Develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025: Final Report," The report compares the process of developing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 to recommendations included in the previously published National Academies report, "Redesigning the Process for Establishing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans." The report describes the findings of the committee and the conclusions related to this assessment. The 2020-2025 edition of the DGA included, for the first time, recommendations for infants and toddlers as well as pregnant and lactating women.

Nominations Open for Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality

The Health Resources and Services Administration issued a request for nominations of qualified candidates to serve on the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM). ACIMM advises the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs that aim to reduce infant mortality, maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and improve the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. The deadline for nominations is January 23, 2023. 

Racial Healing Action Kits

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation released a series of Action Kits as part of its National Day of Racial Healing efforts. Action kits provide event and activity ideas to engage community members, including children, business owners, faith leaders, and policymakers in the collaborative effort to advance racial healing in communities. Each kit includes event checklists, conversation guides, social media graphics, PowerPoint templates, and other tools to help plan and host racial healing-focused events.

Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act Committee Report

The House Education and Labor Committee produced a committee report on the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 8450). The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act would authorize and expand the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, authorizing $180M in funding for this program, a $90M increase, to ensure that WIC agencies can support more full-time positions and increase placements outside of clinics. The bill would also provide targeted funding flexibility to ensure that breastfeeding supplies can be purchased with food funds, extend postpartum eligibility for WIC to two years, and extend child eligibility to age six or the beginning of kindergarten.

CDC PRAMS Information Collection Request

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information collection request on the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published the "Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations" notice on July 5, 2022, to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC received two comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.

Webinar on Federal Agencies Enforcing Labor Protections

The U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Office of Human Rights is hosting a webinar titled "Get to Know Us: Overview of Your Rights and Protections" on Tuesday, December 6, from 12-1:30 p.m. ET. Webinar presenters will share about different agencies' rights and responsibilities, best practices for employers, what employees need to know, and how to protect and advocate for themselves. 

USBC Insight: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for the enforcement of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for the enforcement of the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law. 

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News & Views

The New York Times: "What It Really Takes to Breastfeed a Baby"

U.S. FDA: "Outline of FDA’s Strategy to Help Prevent Cronobacter sakazakii Illnesses Associated with Consumption of Powdered Infant Formula"

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Journal Publications

Community, Work & Family: Explaining the positive relationship between state-level paid family leave and mental health

Nursing Research: Nurse-Reported Staffing Guidelines and Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • Join the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Week of Action
  • New USBC Members: Indigenous Firstfeeding Coalition of Colorado and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition
  • New Racial Equity 101 Training Series
  • Best Wishes to Sarah!
  • Weekly Wire Hiatus & USBC Office Closure
• International News
  • New WHO Recommendations for Care of Preterm & Low Birthweight Infants 
• National News
  • Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act Passes Out of Committee
  • AHRQ Systematic Review of Postpartum Care
  • Social Determinants of Health for Babies Report
  • March of Dimes 2022 Report Card
  • Webcast on Tackling Breastfeeding Disparities Through Community & Hospital-Based Approaches
  • Community Milk Sharing Webinar
• State & Community News
  • Online Resource Hub on Lactation Rights of California Workers
  • PSA on Breastfeeding Helpline in California County
• Funding Opportunities
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

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USBC Updates

Join the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Week of Action

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Week of Action is happening now! More than 50 organizations, including the USBC, are sponsoring this event to call on Senate leadership to bring the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to the Senate floor for a vote ASAP. Far too often, pregnant workers are denied the simple accommodations they need to continue working. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would change this by ensuring that workers have access to accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, including lactation. This legislation has passed the House of Representatives and has the bipartisan support it needs to pass the Senate, but leadership has not scheduled a vote. We need to get this done before the end of the year when the Congressional session ends! Join us by taking action:

• Email your Senators to urge them to take action on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
• Call Senator Schumer to ask him to bring the bill to the Senate floor. Calling is easy! Simply dial (202) 224-6542 and leave a message with the front desk or ask to speak to the staffer who works on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. You can read from the script below or speak from the heart to let Senator Schumer know that this is important:
  • I am calling as a concerned member of the public to urge you to bring the bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to the Senate floor for a vote before it's too late. Babies and families are counting on you. 
• Call your Senators to ask them to urge Senator Schumer to bring Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to the Senate floor. Text PWFA to 747464 and MomsRising will connect you to your Senator's office and provide instructions.
• View the PWFA Week of Action Toolkit for talking points, graphics, and sample social media posts. Join the conversation at hashtag #ProtectPregnantWorkers.

New USBC Members: Indigenous Firstfeeding Coalition of Colorado and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to welcome two new coalitions to the USBC membership! The Indigenous Firstfeeding Coalition of Colorado was established to improve significantly low lactation rates in Indigenous communities due to generational and historical trauma. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition comes to the USBC with a mission of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in the Indigenous community through education and advocacy. The USBC warmly welcomes both coalitions to the membership community!

New Racial Equity Training Series

The USBC launched a Racial Equity 101 on-demand webinar series. The series includes three previously-recorded webinars that begin to lay the foundation for an understanding of the principles of racial equity. They are not exhaustive, as the work is ongoing for each of us as individuals and as organizations. You are welcome to view them at your convenience and return to them as you continue reflecting and processing the information. Complete the registration form to access the series. 

Best Wishes to Sarah!

The USBC team would like to express our sincere gratitude for the work and service of Sarah Walz as she steps away from the organization. Sarah has provided valued service to the USBC for the past eight years as a key member of the Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire newsletter team, managing the USBC social media channels, developing the state and territorial breastfeeding reports, supporting the annual conference, and a wide range of communication and advocacy efforts, including the annual report. This is Sarah's last week with the USBC. It's been a pleasure to have her as a teammate, and she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best in her next endeavor!

Weekly Wire Hiatus & USBC Office Closure

The Weekly Wire will be on hiatus next week while USBC staff is out of the office for Thanksgiving break. The USBC offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, in observance of the holiday. We look forward to connecting when we return!

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International News

New WHO Recommendations for Care of Preterm & Low Birthweight Infants 

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a report titled "WHO Recommendations for Care of the Preterm or Low-Birth-Weight Infant." The report introduces 25 care recommendations based on new evidence that can improve the survival, health, and well-being of preterm or low birth weight babies. The recommendations in this guideline are intended to inform the development of national and subnational health policies, clinical protocols, and programmatic guides. The updated guidelines emphasize that premature babies should receive skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and the importance of providing breast milk.

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National News

Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act Passes Out of Committee

The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 8450) advanced out of the House Education and Labor Committee. The bill would reauthorize critical child nutrition programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), school meals, and summer feeding programs. The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act would authorize and expand the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, authorizing $180M in funding for this program, a $90M increase, to ensure that WIC agencies can support more full-time positions and increase placements outside of clinics. The bill would also provide targeted funding flexibility to ensure that breastfeeding supplies can be purchased with food funds, extend postpartum eligibility for WIC to two years, and extend child eligibility to age six or the beginning of kindergarten. Find additional details about how the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act would support lactation with the "Child Nutrition Reauthorization: WIC Provisions in the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act" fact sheet from the National WIC Association.

AHRQ Systematic Review of Postpartum Care

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in partnership with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute posted a draft report titled "Postpartum Care Up To One Year After Pregnancy: A Systematic Review" which is open for comment until Saturday, December 31. The systemic review address two key questions related to the comparative benefits and harms of alternative strategies for postpartum healthcare delivery and extension of postpartum health insurance coverage. The purpose of the review is to inform Clinical Practice Guideline developers, policymakers, and providers of care or support for postpartum individuals.

Social Determinants of Health for Babies Report

In partnership with Child Trends, ZERO TO THREE released a report titled "Using the State of Babies Yearbook 2022 to Illuminate the Social Determinants of Health for Infants and Toddlers." The publication uses the State of Babies Yearbook data to highlight the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) for babies and their families. The report highlights breastfeeding in the context of paid family leave and worker protection policies for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. In addition to the data, the report highlights policy solutions that can bolster health in communities and helps guide state policymakers in constructing "Baby SDOH" for their states. 

March of Dimes 2022 Report Card

The March of Dimes released the "2022 March of Dimes Report Card." The report card presents the state of maternal and infant health in the United States (U.S.), Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The report card indicates the maternal and infant health crisis is worsening for all families. It continues to examine mom and baby health and the supplemental report presents how states are progressing towards pregnancy and childbirth targets, using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2030 objectives. This year, the report card also includes a new section to describe March of Dimes organizational programmatic initiatives and advocacy efforts happening in each state to improve the health of moms, babies, and families. The report highlights support for breastfeeding in the context of access to doula support services and paid family leave systems.

Webcast on Tackling Breastfeeding Disparities Through Community & Hospital-Based Approaches

The University of Albany School of Public Health is hosting a webcast titled "Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding Through Community and Hospital-Based Approaches" on Wednesday, December 14, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. ET. This Breastfeeding Ground Rounds webcast will summarize trends in disparities in breastfeeding measures, identify contributing factors, describe successful initiatives to increase breastfeeding and reduce disparities, and discuss examples of steps being taken to implement these strategies in New York. 

 Community Milk Sharing Webinar

The California Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a webinar titled "Community Milk Sharing: What You Need to Know About Giving and Receiving Liquid Gold" on Tuesday, December 6, at 12 p.m. PT. The event will provide information about the historical tradition of community milk sharing, wet nursing, and Black history and breastfeeding. The webinar will feature a panel of milk donors and milk recipients who will share their personal experiences.

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State & Community News

Online Resource Hub on Lactation Rights of California Workers

The California Work and Family Coalition launched an online Resource Hub. The goal of the Resource Hub is to provide resources and information to help California workers understand and navigate their rights. It provides a central access point for information and resources on paid leave and lactation rights for California workers.

PSA on Breastfeeding Helpline in California County

Riverside County Public Health Department in California released a promotional video for its Loving Support Breastfeeding Helpline. The helpline is run by English and Spanish-speaking certified lactation specialists and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants that provide 24/7 breastfeeding support to local residents. More information about the helpline and accessing support in Riverside County can be found on the Riverside University Health System website.

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Funding Opportunities

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Implementation Science to Advance Maternal Health and Maternal Health Equity for the IMPROVE initiative. Deadline: February 6, 2023.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity. Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Rhode Island Foundation: Racial Equity and Social Justice Grants. Deadline: December 6, 2022.

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News & Views

 Baby-Friendly USA blog post: "Cape Cod Hospital Perseveres to Achieve Baby-Friendly Designation"

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services blog post: "The Path Forward: Improving Data to Advance Health Equity Solutions"

KBIA: "After Black infant mortality surged in Kansas, birth workers jumped into action"

Motherly: "Does breastfeeding protect against RSV? Yes, studies show"

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Journal Publications

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education: "A Call to Action for Lactation Support at Colleges of Pharmacy"

JAMA Network: "Hospital Rankings and Health Equity"

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • New USBC Members: Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin and Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition
  • Call for Stories: Why Is This Work Important to You? 
• National News
  • Policy Brief on Economics of Infant Feeding in U.S.
  • Webpage on the Rights of Pregnant, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding Workers
  • Updated DOLWebpage on Rights of Nursing Employees
  • Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality Meeting in December
  • Congressional Briefing on State of Obesity Report
  • Digital Training on Preventing Racial Bias in Perinatal Care
• Funding Opportunities
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

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USBC Updates

New USBC Members: Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin and Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to welcome two new coalitions to the USBC membership! The Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin works to encourage the traditional practice of breastfeeding to improve the lives of women, babies, and families for generations to come. The coalition serves the vision that Native Communities support breast milk as the first food to nourish the mind, body, and spirit.

The Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition comes to the USBC membership with a mission of improving the health of Navajo families by providing compassionate, unbiased, and accessible care to birthing families through holistic traditional practices that promote healing. The USBC warmly welcomes both coalitions to the membership community!

Call for Stories: Why Is This Work Important to You? 

The USBC has published a new story collector tool asking just two questions about your passion for breastfeeding, human milk, and the policies and practices that protect, promote, and support them. Stories are the fuel that keep us working for real change that families need, and stories help us educate lawmakers about policies that can make a difference. Personal stories allow us to keep a pulse on the needs of today's families, and they serve as a powerful tool to inspire action across all sectors. The easy tool invites you, your network, and the families you serve to tell us about your passion for breastfeeding, be it personally, professionally, or politically (meaning, how can policies help?)! We know that breastfeeding and human milk feeding mean unique things to everyone. We are interested in learning about what fuels you! Please take a moment to share your "why" today!

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National News

Policy Brief on Economics of Infant Feeding in U.S.

EconoFact released a policy brief titled "Economics of Infant Feeding in the U.S." The publication examines the full scope of economic tradeoffs families in the U.S. face when deciding how to best ensure the nutritional health of their infant. The brief notes that while the nutritional value of breast milk is high and mothers seem to have internalized the "breast is best" mantra, this recommendation is wildly in conflict with policy support available for mothers (and, families more broadly), and also not aligned with industry drivers for the production and marketing of infant formula. 

Webpage on the Rights of Pregnant, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding Workers

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Delaware released a know your rights webpage titled "Pregnant, Post-Partum and Breastfeeding Workers." The webpage answers common questions workers have about pregnancy accommodations, the right to express milk at work, and harassment related to pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as information about where to seek help.

Updated DOL Webpage on Rights of Nursing Employees

The Department of Labor released an informational webpage on the rights of nursing employees. The webpage highlights protections available under the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, which protects the right to take breaks at work to express milk, and includes resources and sources of help for employees with questions. The webpage is part of the worker.gov website, a one-stop resource center to help workers understand their rights and access resources at the Department of Labor.

Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality Meeting in December

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that the next meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) will be held on Wednesday, December 7, from 11-6 p.m. ET. The ACIMM advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. The agenda for the meeting is being finalized and will be posted on the ACIMM webpage.

Congressional Briefing on State of Obesity Report

Trust for America's Health is hosting a national webinar titled "State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America Congressional Briefing" on Wednesday, November 30, at 1:30 p.m. ET. The briefing will explore findings from the latest TFAH report. Speakers will cover the latest data on obesity and its impacts, highlight promising approaches to ensure healthier communities, and offer policy recommendations that can help all Americans lead healthier lives. The State of Obesity report highlights breastfeeding programs' role in addressing obesity, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and other programs through the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding funding line.

Digital Training on Preventing Racial Bias in Perinatal Care

Diversity Science released an on-demand complimentary course for individuals titled "Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth: Preventing Racial Bias in Perinatal Care." The course uses real-life, composite stories to illustrate the way racial bias, however unintended, can undermine perinatal care. It also provides specific, concrete, evidence-based strategies for interrupting racial bias. The course is also available for organizations.

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Funding Opportunities

Urban Indian Health Institute: "Community Grants Program: Sweetgrass." Application deadline: Monday, November 21.

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News & Views

CDC Foundation press release: "Three Public Health Organizations Receive 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Health for Protecting the Health of Americans"

 CHEER press release: "CHEER moves forward with new Bower grant"

DOL news release: "Court orders Mesa Air Group to change company policy to make sure flight attendants, pilots can exercise rights to family, medical leave"

Global F&V Newsletter (editorial): "WIC Program : almost 50 years of promoting the health of low-income families"

The Hill: "Lawmakers push to end maternal health crisis"

 LER blog post: "When Breastfeeding Fails: 10 Ways You Can Help"

Parents Together: "Nursing mothers file class action lawsuit in New York — know your rights to pump at the workplace"

The Tribune: "BNBA wants govt to ensure the rights of breastfeeding mothers while on the job"

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Journal Publications

BMJ Global Health: "Digital marketing of formula and baby food negatively influences breast feeding and complementary feeding: a cross-sectional study and video recording of parental exposure in Mexico"

Nature: "No infectious SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk from a cohort of 110 lactating women"