WHO's global strategy is tool to protect breast feeding and child health

EDITOR—Waterson and Tumwine assert that governments should accept promotion and protection of breast feeding as critical for improving child health.1 In May 2002 the World Health Assembly produced its strategy for infant and young child feeding.2 The World Health Organization's international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes3 and subsequent relevant assembly resolutions are integral to this strategy, which is intended as a model for all governments to adapt and adopt as national policy.

In the United Kingdom there is no indication that the government is considering this strategy or intends to commit to a comprehensive national policy, including the implied collection and evaluation of information.2 Currently only some provisions of the WHO code and World Health Assembly …