Weekly Wire: mPINC Survey Reminder, USBC Statement on White House Conference, and more

The USBC e-Newsletter, Staying Abreast, is published in a weekly news brief format, called the Weekly Wire (WW). Past issues are archived below.

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Weekly Wire: mPINC Survey Reminder, USBC Statement on White House Conference, and more

10/7/2022

Weekly Wire: October 7, 2022

The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire e-Newsletter is a compendium of news, actions, and resources considered to be of interest or relevance to the breastfeeding field. The newsletter aims to support the USBC mission "To drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States." Included items are submitted for consideration or identified by the USBC e-news team via extensive online review. Whenever possible, the newsletter utilizes language directly from the primary source of an item without additional analysis or edits. In some cases, the USBC offers additional perspectives through the "USBC Insights," media and partner highlights, and the "News & Views" section. Inclusion of an item in the e-newsletter does not imply endorsement or support by the USBC of an item or organization, unless specifically noted.

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month is Here & Native American Heritage Month is Coming Soon!
- USBC Statement on White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
- Online Guide on Federal Protections for Lactating Workers
International News
- Public Consultation Opportunity on Health Professional and Scientific Meeting Sponsorship
- Webinar Series on Formula Milk Industry
- WHO Releases Resource on Improving the Quality of Care for MCH Populations
National News
- mPINC Survey Deadline: October 17
- NASEM Call for Nominations for Developing Research Framework
- DOL Webinar on Employer Compliance with FMLA
- Funding Opportunity on Health Equity Research Partnerships
- 2022 WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence Awardees Announcement
- Resolution to Increase Transparency for Infant Formula Shortage Crisis
- Resolution Recognizing Contributions of Certified Nurse-Midwives and Midwives
- State Paid Leave Explainers Updated
State & Community News
- California Bill Expanding Support for Working Families Signed into Law
News & Views
Journal Publications

denotes a USBC member organization news item denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item

USBC Updates

Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month is Here & Native American Heritage Month is Coming Soon!

October is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month. Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and SIDS disproportionately impact families of color, especially Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and low-income families. Consistent, integrated messaging about safe infant sleep and breastfeeding is important for all caregivers. To explore resources, tools, and materials on safe sleep, visit the "October Is Safe Sleep And SIDS Awareness Month" webpage.

Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) is fast approaching! In preparation for NAHM in November, please submit relevant resources that can be shared on the USBC informational webpage and social media channels.

USBC Statement on White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee released a blog titled "Statement on White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health." The statement, from USBC Executive Director Nikia Sankofa, celebrates the inclusion of human milk feeding in the "Biden-Harris Administration National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health" and calls for additional federal investment in lactation support. The national strategy details plans to end hunger in America by 2030 and encourage healthy eating and physical activity so fewer Americans experience diet-related diseases. The report includes commitments to expand breastfeeding support and counseling by increasing access to virtual lactation support, funding efforts to reduce disparities, addressing gaps in insurer coverage of breastfeeding support and supplies, and protecting the rights of lactating workers.

Online Guide on Federal Protections for Lactating Workers

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee relaunched the "Online Workplace Guide: What You Need to Know About the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law." The guide was designed to help employees understand their workplace rights and serve as a resource for families and employers with questions about the law.

International News

Public Consultation Opportunity on Health Professional and Scientific Meeting Sponsorship

The World Health Organization announced a public consultation opportunity on a draft document titled "Clarification on Sponsorship of Health Professional and Scientific Meetings by Companies that Market Foods for Infants and Young Children." In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on health professionals to implement the "Guidance on Ending the Inappropriate Promotion of Foods for Infants and Young Children." In this guidance, WHO recommends that companies that market foods for infants and young children should not sponsor meetings of health professionals and scientific meetings. In response to queries received from various associations regarding what does or does not count as corporate sponsorship of health professional and scientific meetings (sponsorship), WHO has drafted a statement clarification. The purpose of this online consultation is to gather relevant information from affected stakeholders and civil society to ensure the clarification is fit-for-purpose, acceptable and feasible, and to identify potential unintended consequences. Following this period of public consultation, WHO intends to publish a final statement of clarification. The online public consultation will be open until Monday, October 17, and comments can be submitted using the online form.

Webinar Series on Formula Milk Industry

The World Health Organization, The BMJ, the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, and Children in All Policies 2030 are hosting a webinar series titled "The Problem with the Formula Milk Industry." The webinar series exposes industry marketing tactics that influence health professionals. Recordings from this series can be viewed on the BMJ Youtube Channel.

WHO Releases Resource on Improving the Quality of Care for MCH Populations

The Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, and Ageing at the World Health Organization (WHO) launched new Implementation Guidance titled, "Improving the Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health: Implementation Guide for National, District and Facility Levels." The guidance includes practical information for policymakers, program managers, and health practitioners who are working to develop and implement quality of care programs for maternal, newborn, and child health at national, district, and facility levels.

National News

mPINC Survey Deadline: October 17

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2022 national survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) will close on Monday, October 17. CDC would like to send a BIG THANK YOU to all the hospitals that have already submitted their survey! There is still time for every hospital to be counted. To receive an individualized Hospital Report and be included in state, regional, and national level reports, hospitals must complete and submit their survey. If you have any questions, visit CDC's mPINC website or email mPINC@cdc.gov.

NASEM Call for Nominations for Developing Research Framework

The Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) issued a call for nominations of experts titled "Developing a Framework to Address Legal, Ethical, Regulatory, and Policy Issues for Research Specific to Pregnant and Lactating Persons." The committee will develop a framework for addressing medicolegal and liability issues when conducting research related to pregnant and lactating persons. The deadline to submit nominations for committee members and/or reviewers for this study is Friday, October 14.

DOL Webinar on Employer Compliance with FMLA

The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division is hosting a webinar titled "Compliance Check-Up for Employers: Family and Medical Leave Act" on Wednesday, October 19, at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar aims to help employers gain a better understanding of the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act, including the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, employee eligibility, and qualifying reasons for leave.

Funding Opportunity on Health Equity Research Partnerships

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) announced they will release a Targeted Funding Announcement (TFA) in January 2023 titled "Partnering Research and Community Organizations for Novel Health Equity Research Addressing Social and Clinical Determinants of Maternity Health." PCORI is looking to fund studies addressing the question: "What is the comparative effectiveness of multi-component, multilevel interventions to improve maternal outcomes for individuals from populations highly impacted by maternal health disparities?" PCORI will also hold a virtual applicant town hall on Monday, October 24, at 12 p.m. ET.

2022 WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence Announced

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) announced the 2022 WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence Awardees. This award program was created by FNS to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding services, provide models to motivate agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding program, and ultimately increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants. 97 agencies received WIC Breastfeeding Awards in 2022.

USBC Insight: The WIC Breastfeeding Awards are one of several programs highlighted in the USBC State and Territory Breastfeeding Reports. The most recent version of the reports shows how breastfeeding rates and other measures compare to national levels, lists the coalitions serving that area, and highlights state and community-based lactation projects made possible through federal funding in 2020.

Resolution to Increase Transparency for Infant Formula Shortage Crisis

Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI-07) introduced House Resolution 1287 calling on the Biden Administration to release documents related to the recall of infant formula and potential impacts on the infant formula supply chain. The resolution passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous support. Read the press release.

Resolution Recognizing Contributions of Certified Nurse-Midwives and Midwives

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-40) introduced House Resolution 1419 recognizing the roles and contributions of U.S. certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives in providing high-quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective healthcare services to women and childbearing families. One of the highlighted outcomes of midwifery care is increased rates of breastfeeding.

State Paid Leave Explainers Updated

New America updated its explainers on state paid leave programs to reflect new changes to paid leave benefits across the United States, including the expansion of the paid family leave program in Washington, DC to 12 weeks.

State & Community News

California Bill Expanding Support for Working Families Signed into Law

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Senate Bill 951 into law. The legislation increases family and disability leave for low-wage workers in California. Beginning in January 2025, this law will help ensure more equitable access to the State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs by ensuring low-wage workers will receive 90% wage replacement while out on SDI or PFL leave. Read the press release.