Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants, but while breastfeeding rates vary across Illinois, Southern 7 Health Department is asking mothers with children under age 2 to help determine why some counties in their service region have the very lowest rates in the state.
The Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) has received Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition (ISPAN) funding to investigate root causes for this disparity. Southern 7 is partnering with IPHI in this current year to assess the experiences of families in the southernmost seven counties.
ISPAN is a five-year, $4.6 million initiative to implement physical activity and nutrition interventions designed to make it easier for Illinoisans to live the healthiest lives possible. ISPAN is particularly focused on low-income and rural communities, and communities of color that have been the hardest hit by chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Local stakeholders including healthcare, social service, and private business organizations are serving on a Planning and Assessment committee to guide Southern 7’s research and planning activities.
Southern 7 has contracted with Rural Health, Inc. and Community Health & Emergency Services, Inc. (CHESI) to administer surveys to patients/clients of these organizations. Some survey respondents will be invited to participate in a focus group to further discuss their experiences.
The findings of these research efforts will be used to recommend targeted initiatives to improve the experiences of families in the lower seven county region.
Any mother (breastfeeding/formula feeding/combination feeding) who has delivered a baby in the past 2 years and who lives in the Southern 7 region is invited to share their experiences. All survey respondents will be entered into a drawing for one of 10-$25 VISA gift cards. Ten focus group participants will each also be awarded a $50 VISA gift card.
To take the short (less than 10 minute) survey, please call 618-833-8561, email S7survey@S7HD.org, or message facebook.com/S7WIC.
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