Policy, Power and Politics in Healthcare

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Running Head: Policy, Power and Politics in Helathcare
POLICY, POWER AND POLITICS IN HEALTHCARE

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Policy, Power and Politics in Helathcare
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Importance of breastfeeding on health............................................................................................2
Significant Statistics........................................................................................................................2
Reason for choosing the policy........................................................................................................3
Summary of the policy document....................................................................................................3
Policy Analysis................................................................................................................................4
1. Demonstrated understanding of policy issues.............................................................................4
2. Evidence of critical discussion and analysis................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References......................................................................................................................................10

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Policy, Power and Politics in Helathcare
Introduction
Significance of the policy problem
Apart from being a source of nourishment to the infant, breastfeeding initiated within the first
hour after work is also able to lower the risks of neonatal morbidity (Leeming, Marshall &
Locke, 2017). It offers protection from various infection and also sudden infant death syndrome.
It is also associated with lower risks of breast and ovarian cancer developed as the mother nears
the menopausal age. The decrease tendency to exclusively breastfeed one's child is posing as a
risk to both the mother and the child. If not acted upon immediately, the future will hold several
health risks for these children as well as their mothers.
Importance of breastfeeding on health
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother and child. The mother's body prepares for
lactating much before the baby is born. Not breastfeeding the infant causes a sudden stop to the
preparation and the effects seem to be far-reaching.
Along with human evolution, the constituents of breastmilk has also changed to provide the baby
best possible nutrition along with immune protection, metabolism factors and growth regulators.
The neonate does have the capability to protect itself from various infections present in the
environment. Mother’s milk provides immuno-protection by giving the child ready-made
bioactive substances (Breastfeeding, 2017). Breast milk also contains hormones and growth
factors that promote growth and self-regulation of food and other metabolism regulators in the
baby’s body. Among instant neonatal benefits for the mother that breastfeeds their child have a
lower risk of maternal obesity and are likely to recover from the postpartum syndrome quickly.
In the long run, breastfeeding decreases the exposure to sex hormones in the mother’s body
which lowers the risk for developing breast cancer after menopause (Greer, Sicherer & Burks,
2019).

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Policy, Power and Politics in Helathcare
Significant Statistics
Breastfeeding provides babies with their start in life. It has various bioactive substances like fats,
proteins, carbohydrates, minor enzymes and immunoproteins. Australian guidelines, as well as
the WHO, recommends that babies need to be exclusively fed breast milk for the first 6 months
of their life (Who, 2016). After 6 months breast milk needs to be given along with
complimentary solid food. Breastfeeding is desired to be continued for up to 12 months (Aihw,
2015). The Australian National Breastfeeding Survey was one of the kind surveys that provided
statistics regarding breastfeeding and the practices, attitudes and barriers related to it. In the
survey, it was reported that about 90% of the babies in the age group of 0- 24 months had been
initiated to exclusively breastfeeding at an early age (Health, 2019). However, the rates dropped
to about 15% by the age of 5 months. This means that 85% of the babies had been initiated to
formula-based milk within six months. Only 47% of the babies had been fed only breastmilk
until 3 months. The report shows that the tendency to initiate formula-based milk or other solid
foods before the recommended age of 6 months were lower among mother aged above 35 years,
with tertiary education and belonging to higher income groups (Wcrf, 2019).
Reason for choosing the policy
The policy document was readily available on the web and was derived from a credible source. It
is formulated by the Australian Health Ministers Conference and was the first breastfeeding
strategy to be adopted in Australia. The policy document is uncomplicated and easy to go
through. Moreover, the data provided in the policy is well resourced and is in accordance with
the National Infant feeding survey organised in 2010. Also, the strategies follow the guidelines
and targets set by the WHO and make use of information gained from strategies used in other
countries as well (Who, 2016).
Summary of the policy document
The policy was created on behalf of the Australian Health Ministers Conference and identifies all
Australian nationals to embrace the policy to promote breastfeeding rates across the country. The
policy claims to be a launch of a strategy to combat a significant health-related barrier and cause