Geography and Income Level

A 32.8-fold difference existed between the highest-use jurisdiction (Puerto Rico) and the lowest (New Hampshire), underscoring the severity of regional disparity. Plastic surgeon density is much higher in Toronto Central than in North East or North West Ontario. Women in high-income countries were significantly less likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding compared with women in low-income settings. Africa had higher breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates than the other listed continents. In 2023, South East Ontario recorded 665 per 100,000 while North West Ontario recorded 491 per 100,000. Southern Ontario consistently reported higher hand trauma incidence rates than Northern Ontario. Early return to work, formula availability, and weaker social breastfeeding norms contribute to lower breastfeeding rates in high-income countries. The article explains regional disparities through higher southern case capture and likely northern under-recording due to specialist availability. Lower breastfeeding rates in Europe and America may reflect formula availability, maternity leave, workforce participation, and weaker social norm enforcement. Transfers from Northern Ontario to…