Release No.0365.99

Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286
jean.daniel@fns.usda.gov

USDA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF HEALTHIER MOMS AND BABIES THROUGH WIC

WASHINGTON, September 15, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today marked the 25th anniversary of the Women, Infants and Children nutrition and health care program, calling it "one of the best examples of the positive role government can play in people's lives." 

"WIC works," Glickman said at a celebration at USDA headquarters.  "Since 1974, WIC has made millions of mothers and children healthier and more secure." 

WIC provides supplemental food and health care for at-risk, low-income pregnant women and new mothers, and for infants and children up to age 5.  The program serves about 7.5 million people nationwide.

WIC offers individualized nutrition education and counseling, food packages that meet the needs of participants, and critical referrals to other health care and public assistance programs. Studies have shown that WIC saves money by providing prenatal care that heads off more costly treatment later for both mothers and babies.

"WIC is a relatively small program, but its impact over the last 25 years has been very large," Glickman said. "Without it, hundreds of thousands of children would have died or suffered from long-term disabilities and handicaps caused by low birth weight. Federal, state and local governments and health care providers would have spent an additional $20 billion to treat medical problems in mothers and babies who had inadequate prenatal care."

The first WIC clinic opened in Pineville, Kentucky in 1974. The program was made permanent in 1975, and now operates through state health departments in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and in 33 Indian tribal organizations.

WIC was initiated by Sen. Hubert Humphrey and Rep. Carl Perkins, with strong bipartisan support. Shirley Watkins, under secretary of agriculture for food, nutrition and consumer services, said Sen. Humphrey had a clear vision for WIC.. She quoted from a speech the senator made in support of establishing the program:

"The future of this nation depends upon the development of its young and still unborn. The country's leading medical authorities say that improving the nutrition of pregnant women and children is the surest, most direct way to protect the future of these individuals, as well as that of the nation."

#

Back to the top