Breastfeeding Support: A Geographic Perspective on Access and Equity

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Spatial Analysis

Background:

• Breastfeeding support is crucial for maternal and infant health.
• Geographic barriers to accessing lactation professionals and peer support are understudied.
• Understanding these barriers is key to improving breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify geographic barriers to breastfeeding support in Ohio.
• Delineate access gaps and assess distribution inequities.
• Examine demographic and socioeconomic differences in support access.

Main Methods:

• Collected data on formal breastfeeding support resources in Ohio (2016).
• Integrated demographic and socioeconomic data with transportation catchment areas.
• Conducted spatial analysis to assess access and equity.

Main Results:

• Significant geographic gaps in breastfeeding support were found in Ohio.
• Urban areas have higher support density; rural inequities correlate with socioeconomic status.
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) support is limited to income-qualifying mothers in rural areas.

Conclusions:

• Spatial analysis reveals nuanced access and equity issues in breastfeeding support.
• Identified structural differences and areas needing additional support resources.
• Highlights the need for targeted interventions to address disparities.