Social media users debate public breastfeeding
Plus, posts highlighted rising STI rates in Mississippi and inaccurate curriculum used in some states’ sex education.
Plus, posts highlighted rising STI rates in Mississippi and inaccurate curriculum used in some states’ sex education.
Last week, World Breastfeeding Week sparked online conversation about breastfeeding in public. In other conversations, posts discussed Mississippi’s rise in sexually transmitted infections, and an article about an inaccurate fetal development video prompted debate about sex education in schools.
In response, communicators may share information about breastfeeding laws; STI prevention, testing, and treatment resources; and sex education resources for youth and their caregivers.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:
Conversations about World Breastfeeding Week continued last week. Articles discussed the importance of breastfeeding, and social media posts across platforms celebrated breastfeeding, receiving hundreds of thousands of views. Commenters expressed support for breastfeeding parents and for those who struggle to breastfeed, and some shared personal stories about their breastfeeding challenges. Other commenters expressed stigmatizing attitudes toward breastfeeding, suggesting that breastfeeding is “disgusting” and should only occur in private spaces. Similar reactions occurred in response to articles about an Oregon law protecting the right to breastfeed in public. Oregon health officials began sharing reminders of the law in August to honor National Breastfeeding Month.
Recent articles reported on a surge in STIs in Mississippi. In response to social media posts sharing articles about Mississippi’s STI rates, commenters expressed concern about access to STI testing and treatment, as there are no physical Planned Parenthood clinics in Mississippi, and some Planned Parenthood health centers in other states have closed. Commenters also advocated for comprehensive sex education and condom use.
On August 5, Teen Vogue published an article about “Baby Olivia,” a video created by an anti-abortion group that inaccurately depicts fetal development. In the past year, some states have passed laws requiring schools to show the video. The article quoted experts speaking out against the video and calling for accurate sex education in schools. Most commenters on social media posts sharing the article also advocated for comprehensive, science-based sex education in schools. A few expressed support for the video, falsely claiming that it accurately shows how a fetus develops.
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Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
National Breastfeeding Month and ongoing conversations about breastfeeding provide an opportunity to recirculate information about the benefits of breastfeeding and local resources for breastfeeding parents who may be facing challenges. Messaging may explain that it is legal to breastfeed in any public or private space in any state. However, state protections for breastfeeding parents vary. Additionally, most workplaces are federally required to provide a private space that is not a bathroom for parents who need to pump breastmilk, as well as a reasonable amount of time to express milk during work hours. Communicators may want to share tips for breastfeeding in public and the Office on Women’s Health helpline (1-800-994-9662) for questions about breastfeeding, including local breastfeeding laws.
Conversations about STIs provide an opportunity to explain that anyone can contract one through sexual activity involving the mouth, genitals, or anus. Communicators may want to share STI prevention methods, common STI symptoms, local clinics that offer testing, information about at-home tests, and tips for discussing sexual health with partners. Messaging may emphasize that while some STIs do not cause any symptoms, they are still contagious and can be dangerous if left untreated, so getting tested regularly is important for health maintenance.
In light of discussions about sex education in schools, communicators may share comprehensive sex education resources for youth and their caregivers, as well as tips for caregivers to talk to youth about sexual health and relationships.