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Developing a health promotion program in Philadelphia on reducing the risk of SIDS

Heidi Worley, MA and Karen J. Pollack, MSW. Research, Education and Advocacy, Maternity Care Coalition, 2000 Hamilton Street, Suite 205, Philadelphia, PA 19130, 2159720700, hworley@momobile.org

Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Back to Sleep campaign contributed to the decline of SIDS by 40% nationally, this success is not reflected in urban populations especially among African-American communities. SIDS in Philadelphia is reported at three times the national rate, 0.5 per 1,000 live births and 1.6, respectfully. In addition, 76.6% of all SIDS deaths in Philadelphia were black and 78.6% were placed on their stomach or side.

Using the Green & Kreuter’s PRECEDE-PROCEED model, Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) is developing a program to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. MCC conducted a needs assessment and identified barriers to providing a safe environment. This program, Cribs for Kids, will be a community-based program that focuses on educating parents of the risks of prone sleeping and bed-sharing. This program will serve the Philadelphia area and provide public education and free portable cribs for families in need. With the cooperation of the media, crib manufacturers, and community resources, Cribs for Kids will strive to change parental behavior, and ultimately reduce the incidence of SIDS and preventable infant deaths.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Articulate the process of applying the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. 2. Discuss the use of a needs assessment in designing a program to reduce SIDS rates. 3. Discuss strategies to identify community members to participate in a community advisory committee. 4. Identify predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors that contribute to infants being placed in an inappropriate sleep environment.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: SIDS, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Protecting our Children

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA