During a recent government meeting, a call for support was made to recognize Black Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated from August 25th to 31st. The speaker highlighted the urgent need for this recognition due to alarming health statistics in Valdosta and Oz County, where the infant mortality rate stands at 9%. This figure underscores the critical health challenges faced by the community, particularly among Black infants who are often born too small, too sick, or too early.

The discussion emphasized the broader context of maternal health inequities that contribute to these outcomes. Many Black residents in the area are at risk for obesity and other nutrition-related diseases, largely due to limited access to healthy food and quality healthcare. These factors significantly impact the health trajectories of both mothers and their infants.

The speaker also pointed out the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, advocating for initiatives like the Sister Girl Birth Initiative, which aims to provide mothers with evidence-based information to support their health decisions. The recognition of Black Breastfeeding Week is seen as a vital step towards addressing these disparities and promoting better health outcomes for Black families in the community.