This is why First 5 LA was thrilled to learn that this year's annual REACH U.S. California & Beyond Conference, titled "REACHing for Health Equity: Keeping our Eye on the Prize," will, for the first time, include discussions about breastfeeding. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health initiative represents a diverse coalition of partners that aim for health equity.

First 5 LA welcomed the opportunity to sponsor the conference, which will be June 1 -2 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach. It is expected to draw more than 350 professionals, including physicians, nurses, health educators, social workers, public health workers, policy makers, community leaders and more.

Carol MacGowan, public health advisor from the CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, is expected to speak about the U.S. Surgeon General's upcoming Call for Action on Breastfeeding. In addition, workshops will explore the racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates; how these disparities impact obesity and contribute to chronic disease later in life and local efforts to improve breastfeeding rates.

There are other REACH U.S. priorities that overlap with First 5 LA's mission that children are born and grow up healthy. The conference will address infant mortality and chronic diseases that affect young children, such as asthma and diabetes.

The overall goal of the conference is to discuss these disparities with a mind toward human rights and social justice. Mostly, the hope is that attendees will learn about, and participate in, strategies and partnerships that will lead to equity in health for all. We hope you'll join us at this very important event.

Evelyn V. Martinez

Chief Executive Officer
First 5 LA

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