PHA-Exchange> HIV and Infant Formula

[S.Minkin]

Dear PHA friends,

This is a letter I sent to the Editor of the New York Times after they published a very misleading headline endorsing infant formula. I'm very happy that the PHA exchange is back at work. 

Steve Minkin



Letter to the Editor,

Your headline "Formula Supported for Mothers With HIV" (Nov 21) was totally misleading and dangerous. The study of HIV-positive Kenyan mothers, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found 'there was no significant difference in death rates or various illnesses between breast-fed and formula-fed babies. " Significantly, breast-fed babies tended to have better nutritional status, especially during the first six months of life. Infant formula remains a major killer in developing countries, and the attempt to promote bottle-feeding as AIDS prevention in poor countries remains an ill-advised and often cynical marketing smokescreen. 

Stephen F Minkin

PO Box 6073

Brattleboro, VT 05302

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