The percentage of women in the U.S. who breast-feed their infants has reached the highest level on record amid growing evidence that the practice provides many health benefits to infants and women, according to a study published in the Aug. 3 issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Reuters reports.

According to CDC, breast-feeding has been associated with a decreased risk of many diseases and conditions -- including ear infections, respiratory tract infections, obesity, eczema, sudden infant death syndrome and diarrhea -- among infants. It also is associated with benefits for women, including a reduced risk of the most common form of diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancer, the agency said (Dunham, Reuters, 8/3).

The report, based on a survey of about 17,000 respondents, found that the percentage of women who started breast-feeding increased from 71% to 74% between 2000 to 2004. However, the report found that the rate of exclusive breast-feeding during the first three and six months after birth was 31% and 11%, respectively (Stobbe, AP/Forbes, 8/2). The goal of the federal government's Healthy People 2010 campaign is to have 50% or more of women breast-feeding at six months and 25% at one year (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/2).

According to the study, rates of exclusive breast-feeding were lowest among black women and women who are low-income, unmarried, live in rural areas, have a high school diploma or less education and are younger than age 20 (AP/Forbes, 8/2).

"We've made quite a bit of progress," CDC epidemiologist and lead author of the report Celeste Philip said. She added that she hopes the new statistics will prompt physicians to renew efforts to promote breast-feeding among women. CDC is working with hospitals to encourage support of breast-feeding in the days after birth, Philip said (Reuters, 8/2).

The report is available online.