The Military Health System and TRICARE: Breastfeeding Promotion

Buckler, Aileen

doi:10.1089/bfm.2011.0065

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Individuals in the military also have characteristics associated with breastfeeding, such as very high marriage rates [18][19][20]. Notably, military health insurance features a well-child program, which, since 2001, has covered breastfeeding consultation for military families [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Black–White Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Persist in the Military Community?

Lundquist

Barfield³

et al. 2014

Matern Child Health J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We conduct a comparative analysis of breastfeeding behavior between military and civilian-affiliated mothers. Our focus is on African American mothers among whom breastfeeding rates are lowest. The military context may mitigate conditions associated with low breastfeeding prevalence by (a) providing stable employment and educational opportunities to populations who face an otherwise poor labor market and (b) providing universal healthcare that includes breastfeeding consultation. Using pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system (PRAMS) data for which we received special permission from each state to flag military affiliation, we analyze civilians and military affiliate in breastfeeding initiation using logistic regression and breastfeeding duration using Cox proportional hazard analysis. We find that breastfeeding is more prevalent among all women in the military setting and that the blackwhite gap in breastfeeding duration common among civilians is significantly reduced among military affiliates. Breastfeeding is a crucial component of maternal and child health and eliminating racial disparities in its prevalence is a public health priority. This study is the first to identify the military as an important institutional context that deserves closer examination to glean potential policy implications for civilian society.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Black–White Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Persist in the Military Community?

Lundquist

Barfield³

et al. 2014

Matern Child Health J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division, 2013). Previous research involving military women has highlighted the need for further support (Bales, Washburn, & Bales, 2012;Bell & Ritchie, 2003a, 2003bBuckler, 2011;Haas et al, 2006;Martin et al, 2015;Rishel & Sweeney, 2005;Sleutel, 2012;Stevens & Janke, 2003;Uriell, Perry, Kee, & Burress, 2009). Further research, as well as tracking of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity for infants of active-duty female personnel for comparison across branches, is recommended.…”

Section: Breastfeeding Support In the Militarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Call for improved military policy to support breastfeeding among U.S. armed forces

Drake¹,

Cadwell²,

Dodgson³

2017

Nursing Outlook

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human milk saves lives, reduces health care costs, and improves the health of both mother and infant. For a small investment to support breastfeeding among active-duty women, the payoff for the U.S. military would be significant: retention of loyal and welltrained service personnel, improved health of women, and a reduction in Tricare costs. Providing breastfeeding support can help the U.S. armed forces retain valued servicewomen after childbirth. A model policy to support breastfeeding women would include on-site lactation support services and peer support, suitable areas available for milk expression and storage, reasonable break time, and a leave policy that incentivizes breastfeeding.

show abstract

“…Section 4207 of the PPACA (2010) amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 by requiring all employers to provide a "reasonable break time" to express milk in a clean, private location other than a bathroom (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1941). Although the amendment of the FLSA is a positive step for promoting breastfeeding among working women in the U.S., similar policies and regulations have yet to be passed within the Military Health System (MHS) (Buckler, 2011). The program known as TRICARE provides active-duty and other eligible military persons with medical and dental coverage (Buckler, 2011), but is not traditional insurance that is familiar to the general population.…”

Section: Benefits Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the amendment of the FLSA is a positive step for promoting breastfeeding among working women in the U.S., similar policies and regulations have yet to be passed within the Military Health System (MHS) (Buckler, 2011). The program known as TRICARE provides active-duty and other eligible military persons with medical and dental coverage (Buckler, 2011), but is not traditional insurance that is familiar to the general population. The PPACA, passed into law in 2010, had no direct effect on the MHS or it's constituents.…”

Section: Benefits Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TRICARE is under the direct authority of the DoD and the Secretary of Defense, therefore laws that affect health care coverage for the majority of Americans do not affect active duty military members or their dependents that are covered under TRICARE (www.tricare.mil/preventivecare). Ultimately, military policies promoting breastfeeding are not affected by the PPACA, creating disparities in breastfeeding rates between active duty mothers and the general population (Buckler, 2011). …”

Section: Benefits Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Active Duty Women's Perceptions of Breastfeeding Support in the Military Setting

Martin

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this capstone is to evaluate the current perceptions of breastfeeding support for active duty women serving in the US Armed Forces to identify barriers to breastfeeding duration and to help assess current lactation policies and programs throughout the Department of Defense. METHODSAn online survey based on the Workplace Breastfeeding Support Scale (WBSS; ) was used to collect data from active duty military mothers. A Facebook social media page was created to describe the survey, discuss desired outcomes and uses of the information obtained, and provide a direct link to the survey. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software to evaluate active duty women's perceptions of breastfeeding support in the military. RESULTSThree hundred and eighteen active duty women participated in the online survey. The average Workplace Breastfeeding Support Scale scores for active duty women was 50.20 (SD= 15.75).Comparing WBSS scores and branch of service, women in the Army had significantly lower WBSS scores (M= 45.85) then women in the Air Force (M= 53.96, p< .001). Enlisted women had significantly lower scores (M= 47.12) than officers (M= 54.62, p< .001). Also noted were significantly lower scores of active duty women who were Hispanic (M= 44.30) and women who had lower levels of education (M= 46.90, p= .006). Initial qualitative analysis revealed a lack of time and a place to pump/breastfeed, unsupportive supervisors and co-workers, and duty requirements as significant barriers to continuation of breastfeeding among active duty mothers. PERCEPTIONS OF BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT 3 CONCLUSIONSThe goal of this capstone is to evaluate the perceptions of breastfeeding support in the active duty population to identify barriers to achieving breastfeeding goals among military mothers.The Department of Defense may be able to improve breastfeeding rates for all active duty mothers by implementing and adhering to lactation policies and focusing support efforts for enlisted women in all branches of service.

show abstract

The Military Health System and TRICARE: Breastfeeding Promotion

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Do Black–White Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Persist in the Military Community?

Do Black–White Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Persist in the Military Community?

Call for improved military policy to support breastfeeding among U.S. armed forces

Active Duty Women's Perceptions of Breastfeeding Support in the Military Setting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The Military Health System and TRICARE: Breastfeeding Promotion

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Do Black–White Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Persist in the Military Community?

Do Black–White Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Persist in the Military Community?

Call for improved military policy to support breastfeeding among U.S. armed forces

Active Duty Women&#39;s Perceptions of Breastfeeding Support in the Military Setting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Active Duty Women's Perceptions of Breastfeeding Support in the Military Setting