Work as an Understudied Driver of Racial Inequities in Breastfeeding. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Whitley, Margaret; Banks, Ashley
• Is Part Of: New solutions. Volume 32:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: breastfeeding -- racism -- equity -- working conditions; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Industrial hygiene -- Periodicals; Industrial hygiene -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; 613.62
• DOI: 10.1177/10482911221124558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-2911

Abstract

Breastfeeding inequities by race are a persistent public health problem in the United States. Inequities in occupation and working conditions likely contribute to relatively less breastfeeding among Black compared to White mothers, yet little research has addressed these interrelationships. Here, we offer a critical review of the literature and a conceptual framework to guide future research about work and racial inequities in breastfeeding. There is a strong public health case for promoting breastfeeding equity for mothers across race groups and occupation types. Existing theory suggests that employment opportunities and working conditions are a likely pathway that connects structural racism to Black-White breastfeeding inequities, in addition to other known factors. We propose a new conceptual model for studying the interrelationships among work, race, and breastfeeding outcomes.