OPHA position papers : Ontario Public Health Association position papers : the WHO code and the ethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes

International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes (further referred to as “the Code”) ; AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPHA will continue to collaborate and partner with professional associations and organizations to increase the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding through adherence to the Code; AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPHA will continue to advocate at the [...] Ontario Public Health Association Position Paper (2010) 2 OPHA Position Paper: The WHO Code and the Ethical Marketing of BreastmilkSubstitute Executive Summary The International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, commonly referred to as the WHO Code, was endorsed by the 34th Assembly of the World Health Organization in May 1981. [...] Mixed feeding in the first 6 months of life is estimated to result in 1.4 million deaths and 10 % of disease burden in children younger than 5 years of age.4 Despite the compelling evidence on the positive short and long term effects that breastfeeding has on the health of mothers and infants, breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration according to the WHO recommendations are not consisten [...] Ontario Public Health Association Position Paper (2010) 5 OPHA Position Paper: The WHO Code and the Ethical Marketing of Breastmilk Substitute In the years between 1920 and 1960 the majority of Canadian women abandoned breastfeeding, and the task of health education of mothers was taken on by professionals and national publications. [...] In response to this, the 33rd World Health Assembly adopted the recommendations of the 1979 WHO/UNICEF meeting, recalling resolutions WHA27.43 and WHA31.47 affirming breastfeeding to be essential for the harmonious physical and psychosocial development of the child.