Abt to Support Wider Adoption of Breastfeeding Through $4.37M Contract With CDC
Rockville, Md. – Breastfeeding is a vital component of newborn and early child health, and Abt will build on our history of supporting it through a new contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Building on our strong relationship with CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO), Abt will provide training and technical assistance on the implementation of the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding during the four-year, $4.3 million contract.
The program’s goal is to support the adoption of early and exclusive breastfeeding among culturally and racially diverse populations. Abt will recruit up to 130 hospitals to participate in skills-based competency training for health practitioners with the overall aims of:
- Improving breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity rates; and
- Reducing racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in breastfeeding.
“Abt’s mission is to improve people’s health and well-being, and it’s hard to think of a better way to fulfill our mission than supporting the health of newborns and mothers,” said Dr. Christopher Spera, division vice president Health and Environment at Abt. “We look forward to continuing our work in this arena, alongside our partners, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute and Population Health Improvement Partners.”
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that uses data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives. From combatting infectious disease and conducting rigorous program evaluations, to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting access to affordable housing - and more - we partner with clients and communities to tackle their most complex challenges. https://www.abtassociates.com
Contact:
Eric Tischler
eric_tischler@abtassoc.com
(301) 347-5492
