Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding Innovation Challenge

This $800,000 competition will identify effective, pre-existing programs that increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates and decrease disparities among breastfeeding mothers in the United States. This competition seeks programs that target gaps in breastfeeding education, instruction, and/or support for breastfeeding mothers.

“Although the conversation on breastfeeding has traditionally focused on the nutritional benefits for the baby, more studies show that breastfeeding also has health benefits for new moms,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health and Director of the Office on Women’s Health, Dorothy Fink, M.D. “Breastfeeding can lower the risk of hypertension along with the risks of diabetes, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. We want more mothers to understand this connection and have the necessary tools to successfully start and continue breastfeeding their babies.”