摘要: |
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) began 40 years ago as a pilot program and has since grown to serve more than 8 million pregnant women, and mothers and their infants and young children. Today, the program serves more than one-quarter of the pregnant women and half of the infants in the United States, at an annual cost of about $6.2 billion. Through its contribution to the nutritional needs of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women;infants;and children under 5 years of age;this federally supported nutrition assistance program is integral to meeting national nutrition policy goals for a significant portion of the U.S. population. |