Nearly 200,000 women in California are living with breast cancer.

Studies have shown that breastfeeding can reduce breast cancer risk, both in the practice of breastfeeding and the duration of time a person breastfeeds, with longer durations associated with increased benefits. Yet many barriers exist, particularly among Asian, Black, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations.

To improve rates of breastfeeding, a team of researchers at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) conducted a study to understand the attitudes toward breastfeeding within these communities, perceived barriers to breastfeeding, and resources that are available to help people effectively breastfeed.

Through the study of mothers of newborns, maternal care providers (including physicians, nurses, lactation consultants, and doulas), and community advocates for child and maternal health, authors gained insights into the barriers to initiating and continuing to breastfeed, particularly among women who enter or return to the workforce.

Based on interviews, as well as on literature and policy reviews, authors identified three key areas — workplace accommodations, family leave policies, and access to lactation services — and developed a series of policy notes that provide recommendations for improving these barriers.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, AJ Scheitler, EdD, study co-author and director of development, engagement, and strategic planning at UCLA CHPR, and Ninez A. Ponce, PhD, MPP, study co-author and director of UCLA CHPR, walked through study findings and policy interventions that can increase awareness of breastfeeding as a way to reduce breast cancer risk and to increase support for breastfeeding where women live, work, learn, worship, and play.

PRESS RELEASE
https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/newsroo...

POLICY NOTES
Reducing Breast Cancer Risk Through Improved Workplace Accommodation: https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/our-wor...

Reducing Breast Cancer Risk Through Better Family Leave Policies: https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/our-wor...

Reducing Breast Cancer Risk Through Access to Lactation Specialists: https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/our-wor...

REPORT
Reducing Barriers to Breastfeeding in Disadvantaged Communities: https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/our-wor...

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The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) is one of the nation's leading health policy research centers and the premier source of health policy information for California. UCLA CHPR is home to the California Health Interview Survey, the largest state health survey in the nation, which interviews more than 20,000 Californians each year on a broad range of health topics.

Established in 1994, UCLA CHPR is based in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and affiliated with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research improves the public's health by advancing health policy through research, public service, community partnership, and education.