| Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the healthiest option for feeding infants. Manufacturers of baby formulas, however, employ multiple marketing tactics to persuade parents to supplement or replace breast milk with commercial formulas. Many health care providers contribute to these marketing efforts either through active promotion or implied endorsement of formulas. In doing so, these health care providers are acting in direct conflict with international recommendations and are, in effect, helping to promote products that are against the best interests of their patients. Although formula marketing in the health care setting is widespread in the United States today, the issue has received only superficial media coverage. Through a series of three stories designed for a print outlet, this thesis aims to shed light on formula marketing practices in health care settings and examine efforts to curb these practices. |
