Public Education
N.C. Infant Safe Sleep Initiative
The N.C. Infant Safe Sleep Initiative's (formerly the Back to Sleep Campaign) goal is to reduce the risk of SIDS and infant sleep related death. This initiative is an award-winning, public education program designed to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and infant sleep related death by educating families, caregivers and policymakers.
Background
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as
crib death, is the third leading cause of infant death
in North Carolina families each year. SIDS is the unexpected death of a seemingly
healthy infant, up to one year of age, for whom no
other known cause of death can be determined. Sleep related infant deaths are deaths that occur when a baby is sleeping from causes such as suffocation, entrapment or asphyxiation. While these two causes for infant mortality are different, the risk factors are similar and they are often discussed together.
SIDS rates in North Carolina have decreased
significantly over the past 10 years although they continue
to exceed the national average. Disparities persist, African American babies
are twice as likely to die of SIDS than Caucasian babies. Babies ages 0-6 months are at the highest risk and SIDS is the number one cause of death for babies ages 1 month - 1 year old in the United States.
Research has identified practices and behaviors that
can put a baby at risk of both SIDS and infant sleep related death, including:
- Baby sleeping on tummy or side
- Soft sleeping surface
- Cluttered sleeping area (pillows, excess bedding
and stuffed animals in crib)
- Baby sleeping with parents or anyone else
- Overheating - excessive swaddling
- Baby exposed to secondhand smoke
- Mother smoking during pregnancy
- Premature birth (baby born before 37 weeks gestation)
- Low birthweight (baby born less than 2,500 grams
or 5 lbs, 8 oz)
- Multiple birth (twins, triplets, etc.)
Goals
- To increase SIDS and sleep realted infant death awareness statewide
- To educate key audiences on risk reduction
strategies and behaviors, emphasizing message multi-faceted approached including the back sleeping position, no bed-sharing and proper crib use
Audiences
- Doctors, nurses and other health education staff that work with parents and caregivers of children less than one year of age
- Expectant parents and parents of children less
than one year of age
- Individuals and families at greatest risk of SIDS and infant sleep related deaths.
- Caregivers such as grandparents, childcare providers,
church nursery staff, childbirth instructors, community
coalitions, healthcare professionals and social service
providers
Campaign Activities
- Bilingual (English and Spanish) public relations,
advertising and public education activities are employed
to educate the general public and "at risk" audiences
about SIDS and SIDS reduction strategies
- Educational materials are distributed free of
charge via the Foundation's Web site, mass-mailings,
through professional exhibiting and conference opportunities
and in response to catalog orders
Click here
to view available materials and to obtain information
on ordering.
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Last updated: April 2012 |
