WIC: Women Infants and Children The Importance of WIC: Its Impact on Individuals and Our Community Photo from:

2 Outline What is WIC? What are the benefits of WIC to an individual and/or community? What is the community’s role in WIC?

3 What is WIC? Photo from:

4 History Created by Congress: To address widespread hunger and poverty A federal grant program-Congress authorizes funding each year Made permanent in 1974 Provides: Quality nutrition education and services Support breastfeeding promotion and education A monthly food prescription (package). Access to maternal, prenatal, and pediatric health-care services Sources: USDA and National WIC Association

5 Who does WIC serve? Target Populations low income, nutritionally at risk: Pregnant Women Breastfeeding Women Non-breastfeeding postpartum women Infants Children up to their 5 th birthday Eligibility: Income level less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level Individual is at a nutritional risk Source: National WIC Association

6 What benefits do Women, Infants, and Children Receive? Health and nutrition screening Nutrient-dense WIC foods for growth and development Nutrition Education to help achieve healthy growth and development Breastfeeding education and support Benefits Women Infants Children Source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services-Benefits Received by WIC Participants. Insert photo from community here

7 National Data In 2007, over 50% of all infants born in the United States were in WIC (National WIC Association) In 2008, average WIC family size was four (National WIC Association) % Poverty Level Income Level 0%$0 1-50%$224-$11, %$11,399- $22, %$22,574- $33, %$33,749- $41,348 Source: National WIC Association

8 Savings in Health Care… WIC attempts to reduce preterm births WIC creates $44,482 dollars in SAVINGS $1.00 Spent : $2.20 Saved SAVES Money Creates Nontax Revenues Source: National WIC Association

9 State Data Wisconsin 2008 WIC Participants: Pregnant/Postpartum Women: 60,601 Infants: 40,763 Children age 1-4: 102,426 Total Participants: 203,790 In 2008, 6,096 teenage births Source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services-2008 Profile for Wisconsin

10 Local Data Eau Claire City-County Overall county health ranking: 19 th 2008 WIC Participants: Pregnant/Postpartum Women: 1,093 Infants: 729 Children: 1, teenage births Sources: County Health Rankings and Wisconsin Department of Health Services-2008 Profile for Eau Claire County

11 Local Data

12 What are the benefits of WIC to an individual and/or community?

13 Society Benefits of WIC… WIC participants decrease other health care costs Children are more likely to do well in school Keeps Kids Safe Source: National WIC Association

14 WIC Encourages Healthy Behaviors… Breastfeeding Healthy eating Exercise Decrease overweight/obesity levels Insert Photo from own WIC Program

15 Eau Claire City-County Baby Breastfed… (Not exclusively) Percent Rank in State Ever72.4% 24 th (376/520) At least 6 months24.2% 22 nd (61/252) At least 12 months10.7% 32 nd (41/375) Source: 2010 PedNSS

16 Percentage of WIC infants breastfed at least 6 months by race and ethnicity Source: PedNSS 2010 PowerPoint Year 2010 Target: 50%

17 Year 2010 Target: 25% Percent of WIC Infants Breastfed at 12 months by race and ethnicity Source: PedNSS 2010 PowerPoint

18 Trends in the Percent of WIC Infants Ever Breastfed, and Breastfed at least 6 and 12 months Source: PedNSS 2010 PowerPoint

19 Value of Food Packages WIC Check Food package Value of a food package Example photo: Use community photo

20 Prevalence of Obesity among WIC Children Age <5, by age Source: PedNSS 2010 PowerPoint

21 Trends in Prevalence of Obesity among WIC Children Age <5, by Race and Ethnicity Source: PedNSS 2010 PowerPoint

22 Prevalence of Obesity among WIC Children Age <5 years, by region Source: PedNSS 2010 PowerPoint

23 Food Insecurity Data In 2006, more than 1 in 10 American households (11.3%) had very low food security In 2007, 51% of WI WIC households/families identified with low food security In 2007, 15% of WI WIC households/families identified with very low food security In 2007, 48% of 495 respondents reported very low security in Eau Claire County (Insert your county name and data here) Source: Nutrition & Physical Activity Section; WIC Program, Bureau of Community Health Promotion, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

24 What is the Community’s Role in WIC?

25 How can communities support WIC and WIC-enrolled families? Promote and encourage WIC participation Support WIC breastfeeding efforts by helping to maintain local coalitions Ensure consistent practices and policies between organizations for breastfeeding support Support WIC and health departments leadership roles in nutrition coalitions to improve the health and nutrition environment in which WIC families live, eat, work, and play

26 What can you do as a board? Enact policy and environmental initiatives that support healthy eating and active living Partner with a variety of local agencies to leverage resources to achieve greater impact (i.e. Planning Dept, Economic Redevelopment Agency, Parks & Recreation Dept.) Set feasible short and long term goals to address your community's unique needs Measure your community’s performance and adjust goals as necessary

27 Eau Claire City-County Programs/Coalitions Northwestern Wisconsin Breastfeeding Network Energize Eau Claire County Prenatal Visits WIC Program

28 Example: Eau Claire, WI Goal: Increase access to affordable healthier foods Change: WIC food package changes Veggin’ Out at Farmers Market Outcome: Created an incentive program for WIC clients to shop at local farm markets Fruit and vegetable vouchers in addition to Farmers’ Market vouchers Local farmers and vendors earn income

29 WIC Fits into the Bigger Public Health Picture Local Impact-Creates a healthier community! WIC is a Cornerstone Targets children & families Agency networks for program and client centered services Staff are recognized as nutrition experts in the community Helps meet National Objectives Healthy People 2020 Assists with State Health Plan Goals Healthiest WI 2020

30 Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 Focus Area: Adequate, Appropriate, and Safe Food and Nutrition

31 Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 By 2020: People in Wisconsin will eat more nutritious foods and drink more nutritious beverages through decreased access to sugar-sweetened beverages and other less nutritious foods, and through supported, sustained breastfeeding. All people in Wisconsin will have ready-access to sufficient nutritious, high quality, affordable foods and beverages. Wisconsin will reduce disparities in obesity rates populations of differing races, ethnicities, sexual identities and orientations, gender identities, and educational or economic status. Source: Appropriate, Adequate, and Safe Food and Nutrition (Focus Area Profile)

32 Thank You! Questions ? Comments ?

33 RESOURCES

34 Local Obesity & Nutrition Data USDA Food Environment Atlas: Your Food Environment Atlas Access and proximity to grocery stores Availability of food stores/restaurants Farm to school programs Recreation and fitness facilities per 1000 population Demographics: Race/ethnicity, income, poverty rate

35 Local Obesity & Nutrition Data Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health (all counties module) Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Adult overweight and obesity Lack of physical activity Chronic disease / overall health

36 Local Obesity & Nutrition Data: WI Department of Health Services Wisconsin WIC Website (WICPRO) WI WIC and Nutrition Data PedNSS Reports: Infants and Children (ages 2-4) Breastfeeding initiation, duration, exclusivity LBW, HBW, Premature Birth Overweight & obesity (measured) Screen time > 2 hours/day PNSS Reports: Moms Pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity Weight gain during pregnancy (compared with ideal) Hypertension during pregnancy Gestational diabetes

37 State-level Obesity & Nutrition Data: CDC National Survey of Children’s Health (youth under 18 by parental report) National Survey of Children's Health Weight status, physical activity, nutrition Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Adult prevalence & trends for weight status, health risk behaviors Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity State Legislative Database State Leg. & Research Action to Prevent Obesity

38 Works Cited Benefits of Breastfeeding. Retrieved from CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System [PowerPoint Slides] Retrieved from htm#data Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, Mar 11). Overweight and Obesity: Health Consequences. Retrieved from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010) Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance Wisconsin. Retrieved from http: //

39 Works Cited County Health Rankings. (2011). Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Retrieved from programs-and-policies Focus Area Strategic Team. (2009). Adequate, Appropriate, and Safe Food and Nutrition Focus Area Profile). Retrieved from National WIC Association. (2011). WIC For a Healthier, Stronger America!. Nutrition & Physical Activity Section; WIC Program, Bureau of Community Health Promotion, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services ( 2007, Nov). Food Security in the Wisconsin WIC Population, January, Retrieved from

40 Works Cited USDA. (2009, Nov). WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Retrieved from Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2010, July 12). Public Health Profiles: 2008 Profile for Eau Claire County. Retrieved from Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2010, July 12). Public Health Profiles: 2008 Profile for Wisconsin. Retrieved from

41 Works Cited Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2011, June 14). Benefits Received by WIC Participants. Retrieved from