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Altarum Institute Policy Roundtable Cosponsored by the National WIC Association. Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming the Childhood Obesity Epidemic?. Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming Childhood Obesity? Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH Washington State Health Officer. YES!.
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Altarum Institute Policy RoundtableCosponsored by the National WIC Association Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming the Childhood Obesity Epidemic?
Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming Childhood Obesity? Maxine Hayes, MD, MPHWashington State Health Officer
WIC has a long reach • Serves half of all infants in the country • Connects families to preventive health services
WIC saves health care dollars • Every $1 spent in WIC saves up to $3.50 • WIC moms are 50% less likely to have a very low birth weight infant
WIC’s Core Mission: Nutrition and Breastfeeding Support • WIC is unique – combining health services with access to healthy foods • No other program does this
Not breastfeeding is a missed opportunity for • Better health for children • Better health for women
More partners needed for breastfeeding promotion and support • Hospitals • Work sites • Media and social marketing • Professional support
WIC’s new food rule and childhood obesity • Now WIC foods are even more nutrient-dense • Policies about WIC foods are even more supportive of breastfeeding
WIC is a key partner in childhood obesity prevention Other partners are emerging Help WIC do what it does best! WIC is a successful program