Bader M B
Int J Health Serv. 1976;6(4):609-26. doi: 10.2190/JXXB-B30G-B50T-XJAN.
The decline in birthrates in the developed countries of the world has forced multinational corporations engaged in the production of infant formula to seek out new markets in the developing countries, where burgeoning population rates potentially guarantee the long-term profitability of these corporations. This development, ostensibly benign and nutritionally advantageous to infants in developing countries, has serious public health consequences, due to the high relative cost of purchased formula and the paucity of hygienic facilities essential to the sterile preparation of bottle formula. This paper delineates in detail economic and contraceptive advantages of breast-feeding, and examines the role of health personnel and multinational advertising techniques which have catalyzed the decline in breast-feeding. In addition, the paper focuses on the question of cultural imperialism and current efforts to regulate the multinational firms through both United Nations groups and stock-holders' suits. Finally, some suggestions are made concerning ameliorative public policy approaches to the breast-feeding controversy.
世界发达国家出生率的下降迫使从事婴儿配方奶粉生产的跨国公司在发展中国家寻找新市场，在这些国家，迅速增长的人口率可能保证这些公司的长期盈利能力。这种发展表面上对发展中国家的婴儿有益且具有营养优势，但由于购买配方奶粉的相对成本较高以及无菌配制奶瓶配方奶粉所需卫生设施的匮乏，会产生严重的公共卫生后果。本文详细阐述了母乳喂养在经济和避孕方面的优势，并研究了促使母乳喂养率下降的卫生人员和跨国广告技巧所起的作用。此外，本文关注文化帝国主义问题以及目前通过联合国组织和股东诉讼来监管跨国公司的努力。最后，针对母乳喂养争议提出了一些改善性公共政策方法的建议。
