Oral

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rates have declined since the implementation of the Back to Sleep Campaign, but rates of other Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) have begun to increase. For example, Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB) rates have quadrupled in the past decades. This brings new attention to the infant’s sleep environment and how to reduce injury or death by providing safe sleep environments for infants. SIDS prevention organizations have begun to shift their message to a ‘safe sleep’ message that can be reinforced by all public health professionals. This session will uncover the current epidemiological trends and research related to SUIDS and the efforts to reduce infant sleep related injuries and deaths. A detailed review of specific aspects of SUIDS and the public health response, particularly highlighting CDC’s SUID case registry and elements of successful case reviews will be covered. Additional highlights include showcasing the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team approach in reviewing these particular infant deaths and developing recommendations for changes in practices and policies at the community and state level. SIDS is the 3rd leading cause of infant mortality (IM) behind prematurity and birth defects. There have been major efforts in place to reduce these first two causes of IM but they have been met with various obstacles. SIDS is a complexity of causes of infant deaths, and some of these deaths are from suffocation or strangulation in unsafe sleep environments. Clearly, these are preventable, injury related deaths. If the MCH and Injury Prevention communities mobilize to address this unsafe sleep environment, this presents a real opportunity to reduce overall IM. Notably, safe sleep is an important maternal child health and injury prevention issue. Synergizing efforts and providing one consistent message to the public makes these messages more powerful and can potentially help reduce the number of preventable infant deaths.

Session Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify opportunities for MCH and Injury Prevention collaboration to address infant mortality. 2.Describe how to use child fatality review data 3. Describe the purpose of the CDC’s SUID Case Registry 4. Identify current Infant Safe Sleep Initiatives in the United States

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)