GOLD Learning Speakers

Appalachia - the physical region along the Appalachian mountains, stretching from southern New York to northern Alabama, is often described as simply an area on a map of the United States. However, Appalachia is a separate entity and culture from the rest of the country in many ways. Breastfeeding trends and attitudes can be quite different in this area, and we notice a much lower rate of initiation and duration rates that coincide with these cultural attitudes. The issue of lower breastfeeding rates in Appalachia goes beyond poverty – as many women in the region are willing to travel out of the area to receive good care. Why isn’t access to care easier to obtain in these rural areas? Why are women getting most of their prenatal education from their family members – making much of the education outdated and incorrect? Why have these women lost trust in their healthcare providers that are local? The answers to these question reverts back to two major conclusions: Women are still considered second class in Appalachia and; Many healthcare providers do not understand Appalachian culture in order to serve them in the best way possible. This presentation will discuss: a. What these specific barriers are; b. How we, as health professionals, can approach these barriers; c. How to help to create a new culture trend; and d. How to empower Appalachian women to take hone of their healthcare – specifically their birth and breastfeeding journey.