What trend was observed in breastfeeding initiation rates among black and white mothers between 2000 and 2008?

The trend observed in breastfeeding initiation rates among Black and White mothers between 2000 and 2008 shows that the gap narrowed significantly. This indicates an improvement in the rates of breastfeeding among Black mothers over this period, which reflects broader public health initiatives and outreach efforts aimed at supporting breastfeeding in communities that have historically had lower initiation rates. As a result, more Black mothers increased their breastfeeding practices, which contributed to a reduction in the disparity between the two groups.

In contrast, the widening gap or no changes would suggest that disparities were either increasing or remaining stagnant, which does not align with the findings of significant progress during these years. Furthermore, stating that Black mothers had a higher initiation rate contradicts the data, as historical trends indicated they were typically lower than those of their White counterparts. Therefore, the recognition of a narrowing gap highlights the positive strides made in promoting breastfeeding among Black mothers during that timeframe.