Publication Date
Spring 2016
Degree Type
Master's Project
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Department
Urban and Regional Planning
First Advisor
Frances Edwards
Abstract
Poor nutrition is prevalent among low-income pregnant and postpartum women, and infants. Inadequate nutrition during these vital stages can have negative effects on the health status of this population. The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) was established specifically to help low-income women and children lead healthy lives by providing nutrition education, referrals to healthcare and other health-related services, breastfeeding promotion, and economic resources to purchase nutritious foods at retail grocery stores. WIC has been shown to have an influence on participating mothers’ infant feeding decisions for both formula- feeding and breastfeeding. Although WIC is mandated to provide breastfeeding education and support, some studies have reported that WIC unintentionally promotes formula-feeding because it has provided formula to participating mothers and infants. To determine the success of WIC in encouraging breastfeeding in Santa Clara County, this paper used a program evaluation to answer whether the program ultimately fulfills the legislative intent.
Recommended Citation
Damouny, Christina, "WIC Program Evaluation: A Breastfeeding Study" (2016). Master's Projects. 466.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.397y-8mtt
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_projects/466
Included in
Health Policy Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Welfare Commons