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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program (SIDS) Fact Sheet

MO-07-0008 SIDS

Goals

  • Reduce the number of deaths due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 
    Help families and others deal with the tragedy of SIDS.

Problems

  • In 2004, SIDS was the second leading cause of death for infants from one month to one year of age. 
  • The 2004 SIDS rates for African-Americans (non-Hispanic) were more than twice the White (non-Hispanic) SIDS rates and more than triple the Hispanic SIDS rates.  

Program Activities 

  • Outreach campaign to educate parents, families, and child care providers on how to reduce the risk of SIDS. (e.g.  place baby on back to sleep, on a firm flat surface and without soft objects, toys or loose bedding for all naps and at night, no smoking around baby, avoid over bundling--baby needs to be kept warm not hot, baby needs regular check-ups and immunizations, and breastfeed your baby.) 
  • Targeted outreach campaign for African-American families.
  • Trainings for SIDS families so that they can help other SIDS families in dealing with grief.
  • Trainings for hospital staff, public health nurses, emergency responders, coroners, childcare providers, foster parents, and the general public on SIDS facts and dealing with the emotional impact of SIDS deaths.
  • Information to the public on risk reduction and the latest research concerning SIDS and its potential causes.

Who Benefits

  • All parents of infants benefit by knowing they can actually do something to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • The SIDS risk reduction campaign known as “Back to Sleep” or “Reduce the Risk” has reduced the rate of SIDS deaths in California by 31 %  percent from 1999 to 2004.

Who Provides Services

  • Parent volunteers, health professionals, and safety professionals who are assisted by expert consultants at California Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program and administered by California State University, Long Beach. To locate assistance in your area, please see our MCAH Directors and Local Toll Free Numbers Listing.

Funding

  • Federal Title V MCH Block Grant Funds. Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Programs administers the SIDS Program. Please see the SIDS Program for more information.