To: Board of Supervisors
From: Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: National Breastfeeding Month - August 2026
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT resolution and ACCEPT presentation recognizing August 2026 as National Breastfeeding Month, August 1-7, 2026 as World Breastfeeding Week, and August 25-31, 2026 as Black Breastfeeding Week.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week are recognized each August to promote and support breastfeeding, with the 2026 themes, respectively, of RISE (Resilience, Interdependence, Self Determination, Empowerment) and Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life. Black Breastfeeding Week is observed nationally to raise awareness within the Black community and highlight the need for culturally relevant breastfeeding support and resource.
Breastfeeding provides optimal infant nutrition, reduces chronic disease and infection risk, supports maternal mental health, and strengthens parent-infant bonding. However, in the US only 25% of infants are exclusively breastfed in the first six months of life and 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than intended.
Significant disparities persist by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status with Black infants and those from lower-income households less likely to be breastfed. Contra Costa Health is dedicated to reducing barriers, addressing disparities, and supporting breastfeeding as a vital foundation for lifelong health through case management, public health education, and its Baby Friendly Hospital designation at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to adopt this resolution would result in a missed opportunity to elevate awareness of persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities in breastfeeding rates within Contra Costa County and recognize the dedicated work of Contra Cost...
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