Chester County Hospital encourages all new mothers from all over Chester County, PA to participate in World Breastfeeding Week (#WBW2018) -- August 1-7, 2018 -- by celebrating the progress that has been made and sharing the attached important facts and figures below!
The 823,000 child deaths, 20 000 maternal deaths, and $302 billion in economic losses each year are stark reminders of the current reality. All of these, and more, could be prevented by scaling up breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding not only saves lives and money, it is the Foundation of Life -- and that is the slogan of this year's initiative. World Breastfeeding Week 2018 focuses on how breastfeeding helps prevent malnutrition in all its forms, ensures food security even in times of crisis and breaks the cycle of poverty. With World Breastfeeding Week 2018 now here, it is time to take stock of our progress.
In 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an agenda to transform our world through sustainable development by 2030. Some progress has been made in relation to the 17 SDGs, however, it has been slow. We must step up our efforts to reach the targets of the 2030 Agenda, and ensure that no one, and no issue is left behind. World Breastfeeding Week 2018 can help do just that.
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) took on this challenge through its WBW-SDGs campaign, making links between breastfeeding and each of the SDGs. Our annual World Breastfeeding Week 18 campaign highlights these links to ensure that the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is key to sustainable development.
Malnutrition, food insecurity and poverty affect millions and stand in the way of sustainable development. The 2018 Sustainable Development Goals Report highlights the importance of focusing on these problems. World hunger is rising again, in part due to food insecurity and other crises such as conflict, drought and disasters associated with climate change. Obesity and chronic diseases are rampant. Pockets of the worst forms of poverty still persist and the gap between rich and poor is increasing.
A Few Statistics from The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action:
- Globally, there are 155 million children under 5 years of age stunted, 52 million underweight and 41 million overweight
- It is estimated that breastfeeding reduces the risk of overweight and obesity by about 21% compared to formula feeding
- In low- and medium-income countries, babies who were breastfed had a 10% lower risk of death in their first year, compared with babies who were never breastfed
- Globally, 815 million people are chronically food-insecure and malnourished and the vast majority (489 million) live in countries affected by conflict
- More than 4000 litres of water are needed to produce just 1 kg of infant formula powder
- The quantity and quality of milk production is relatively unaffected by a woman’s nutritional status, except in extremely malnourished women (only 1 percent of women)
- Globally, there were about 60% refugees and displaced populations many of whom are young children and women at risk
of multiple forms of malnutrition, who can benefit from breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding is one of the best investments in global health. Every $1 invested in breastfeeding generates $35 in economic returns
For more information about this important initiative, Visit The World Breastfeeding Week 2018 Website! >>
Related Information from Chester County Hospital: