NewWays to Measure Economic Activity: Breastfeeding as an Economic Indicator

Julie P. Smith; Nancy Folbre

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-43236-2_11

NewWays to Measure Economic Activity: Breastfeeding as an Economic Indicator

Julie P. Smith
, Nancy Folbre

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Chapter › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Breastfeeding and human milk provides an archetypical illustration of how feminist economic analysis has contributed new ways of thinking, and approaches to policymaking. Breastfeeding is an example of how the economy is mismeasured: the market value of milk formula production and sales are counted in a nation’s GDP, but the value of breast milk production is not. This is despite the fact that women and children who have not breastfed have higher rates of illness, chronic disease and hospitalisation. The financial costs to the health system and to families of this additional illness and disease are (perversely) counted as increasing GDP. In 2016, a path-breaking study estimated that premature cessation of breastfeeding cost the global economy around $300 billion a year due to diminished human capital.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	How Gender Can Transform the Social Sciences
Subtitle of host publication	Innovation and Impact
Editors	Marian Sawer, Fiona Jenkins, Karen Downing
Place of Publication	Netherlands
Publisher	Springer
Pages	105-116
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Electronic)	9783030432362
ISBN (Print)	9783030432355
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43236-2_11
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2020
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1007/978-3-030-43236-2_11

Cite this

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NewWays to Measure Economic Activity: Breastfeeding as an Economic Indicator

Abstract

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