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Month: January 2018

We Need Action And Investment For Moms And Babies Everywhere

At 1,000 Days we know investing in a child’s first 1,000 days sets the foundation for all the days that follow – enabling children to grow, learn and thrive, and nations to prosper. Yet last night President Trump said very little about investing in young children and their families during his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American public.

Today, as Congressional leaders gather to plan their agenda for the year ahead, we urge them and the Administration to prioritize the health and well-being of women, infants and young children in the United States and around the world. This includes ensuring:

  • Women and children have access to comprehensive and quality health care;
  • Young children and their families have access to affordable and nutritious foods;
  • Parents and caregivers have the support they need to give their children the strongest start to life, including through breastfeeding support and paid family leave; and
  • U.S. foreign assistance is invested in proven programs that enable all children and their families to thrive.

At 1,000 Days we remain committed to the belief that all children—regardless of where they are born—deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. Achieving this vision will require smart investments and joint action; we hope to work with Congress and the Administration to move these priorities forward in the year ahead.

We Need Action And Investment For Moms And Babies Everywhere

At 1,000 Days we know investing in a child’s first 1,000 days sets the foundation for all the days that follow – enabling children to grow, learn and thrive, and nations to prosper. Yet last night President Trump said very little about investing in young children and their families during his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American public.

Today, as Congressional leaders gather to plan their agenda for the year ahead, we urge them and the Administration to prioritize the health and well-being of women, infants and young children in the United States and around the world. This includes ensuring:

  • Women and children have access to comprehensive and quality health care;
  • Young children and their families have access to affordable and nutritious foods;
  • Parents and caregivers have the support they need to give their children the strongest start to life, including through breastfeeding support and paid family leave; and
  • U.S. foreign assistance is invested in proven programs that enable all children and their families to thrive.

At 1,000 Days we remain committed to the belief that all children—regardless of where they are born—deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. Achieving this vision will require smart investments and joint action; we hope to work with Congress and the Administration to move these priorities forward in the year ahead.

Congress Comes Through On CHIP, Falls Short On Other Critical Public Health Programs

Yesterday, Congress passed and the President signed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until February 8, 2018. Included in the legislation is a six-year funding extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

1,000 Days supports long-term funding for CHIP. Nearly 9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women depend on CHIP for their health coverage. Since last September, Congressional inaction left millions of families wondering if their children would be able to access the health care they need or if their state would announce an end in coverage. Yesterday those fears were finally put to rest.

However, yesterday’s bill does not include a deal to fund other critical health programs that expired at the end of September 2017, such as Community Health Centers and the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. And there remains no agreement on a budget for the rest of this fiscal year ending September 30, jeopardizing continued funding for many additional programs that support the health and well-being of women and children.

1,000 Days calls on Congress to finish their work and fund these important programs, putting the needs of young children and their families first.

1,000 Days & Partners Submit Joint Statements to WHO Executive Board

The 142nd session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Board takes place this week (22-27 January 2018) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Executive Board provides direction and input on the World Health Organization’s priorities related to a broad range of health concerns.

At this week’s meeting, a biennial report on the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition will be presented by the World Health Organization Director General. This report will touch on progress made toward the global targets to improve maternal infant and young child nutrition, as well as national implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions.

Importantly, the biennial report includes new analysis on the extension of the global targets from 2025 to 2030. Based on the current trajectory of the targets, countries will not achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2.2. to end malnutrition in all its forms unless there is a course correction to achieve a higher level of ambition than is currently being met. Governments and all stakeholders must act urgently to increase investments in and prioritization of nutrition in the critical 1,000 day window in order to save and improve lives.

1,000 Days joined a group of international civil society organizations in support of three statements to the World Health Organization that push for greater prioritization of nutrition by the WHO and its Member States throughout this year and at the World Health Assembly in May 2018.

To view all of the statements that were submitted by 1,000 Days and our partners, click below:

Walmart Expands Paid Leave for Some – But Not All – Workers

Yesterday, Walmart made headlines by announcing – among other things – that it would be expanding its paid parental leave policy. New mothers will now receive 10 weeks of paid leave and new dads will receive 6 weeks. That is, if they are full-time workers.

At 1,000 Days, we are pleased to see a corporate giant like Walmart take steps to address the needs of its workforce by expanding its paid parental leave policy. While this is a positive step forward for a share of Walmart workers, the expanded paid leave policy is still woefully inadequate as it does not cover part-time employees.

For children to have the strongest start in life, it is essential that all working parents, not just those working full-time, have access to at least 12 weeks of paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child. Sufficient, comprehensive paid leave boosts the health and well-being of moms and babies, supports mothers’ ability to breastfeed, and increases families’ financial stability.

While it’s encouraging every time a business like Walmart recognizes the importance of paid leave, we cannot not settle for paid leave for some but not all working parents.

It’s time our lawmakers prioritize the health and economic security of families by enacting a comprehensive national paid leave policy.

Hopefully Walmart’s move will inspire our policymakers to act.

5 Things You Need to Know About Breastfeeding in Emergencies

Civil unrest and war, natural disasters and epidemics can force families from their homes, limit access to affordable, nutritious foods and clean water, and cause disruptions to basic services—like electricity and health care.

Breastfeeding is no easy feat—and when combined with the additional challenges that families face during emergencies, it can seem nearly impossible.

These recommendations are based on the recently published “Breastfeeding in Emergency Situations” Advocacy Brief, and for more resources please check out the Global Breastfeeding Collective, which is led by UNICEF and WHO.

Here are 5 things you need to know about breastfeeding in emergencies:

  1. Breastfeeding is the safest, most nutritious and reliable food source for infants under the age of six months.
    Breastmilk is always the right temperature, requires no preparation and is readily available even in settings with limited access to clean water and adequate hygiene.
  2. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of infection and disease, which is vital to survival in emergency settings.
    Breastmilk contains antibodies and other components that protect children against deadly infections. In emergencies, when there may be limited or no access to clean water and hygienic conditions, breastfeeding can drastically reduce the risk of diarrhea and other deadly diseases.
  3. Breastfeeding mothers need (even more!) support during emergencies.
    With adequate support almost all mothers can breastfeed, even in emergency situations. Support for mothers includes privacy and space, psychological counseling and assistance with attachment and positioning. Emergencies are stressful and may cause trauma for mothers, which leads to a need for even more support. For some mothers, breastfeeding can even help reduce stress.
  4. When breastfeeding is not possible, immediate support is necessary to explore feeding options and protect the health of vulnerable infants.
    The use of infant formula or powdered milk can pose significant health risks to babies in emergency situations where there may be limited or no access to clean water and hygienic conditions. They should only be provided when all other options have been explored. Non-breastfeeding mothers should receive immediate support from professionals to assist with safe feeding options, such as hand expression or cup feeding. Infant formula and powdered milk should not be donated but rather purchased as needed and administered carefully by professionals to minimize risk.
  5. Preparedness is key to ensure babies everywhere have the best opportunity to survive and thrive. Strengthening systems and capacities for breastfeeding support is a crucial form of emergency preparedness. Putting policies, programs and actions in place will provide support for mothers to breastfeed even when they are affected by an emergency.

In 2016 alone, at least 535 million children lived in countries affected by emergencies.

Emergencies pose a significant threat, causing child mortality rates to increase up to 70 times higher than average. Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time—putting the world’s youngest children in an extremely vulnerable position.

During emergencies, the life-saving protection of breastfeeding is more important than ever. In emergency settings, breastfeeding guarantees a safe, nutritious and accessible food source for infants and young children and a protective shield against death and disease. But breastfeeding in emergencies is no small task—mothers face immense challenges, and we must provide support and put the rights, dignity and well-being of mothers at the center of our focus.