Recorded presentation

Judith A. Bannon, BS, Executive Director, SIDS of Pennsylvania, 2100 Jane Street, Suite 410N, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, 412-481-1410, SIDSPA@aol.com

‘Back to Sleep’ enters a new decade and takes the next Step: Cribs for Kids

Since 1994 the ‘Back to Sleep’ Campaign has been sweeping the country. This well-orchestrated campaign, funded by the National Institute of Health, resulted in a 50% drop in SIDS rates.

Although the ‘Back to Sleep’ Campaign was multi-faceted, the basic tenet was to place healthy babies on their backs to sleep. While morning network television programs were devoted to education regarding proper bedding – stressing the importance of keeping the crib devoid of any objects, quilts, pillows and bumper pads – babies in low-income areas continued to die. Formerly defined as ‘SIDS’, many of these infants were now diagnosed as accidental/positional asphyxiation. The majority of these babies did not die in cribs but on couches or sharing a bed with adults or older siblings. In 1998 five such babies died in Allegheny County. After investigation of the scene of death it was determined that they did not have a crib in which to sleep.

Through collaboration between SIDS of Pennsylvania, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, the Pittsburgh Police, local foundations and corporations, the ‘Cribs for Kids’ Campaign began in November 1998. During that year Allegheny County experienced 17 infant deaths, which were diagnosed as SIDS or Accidental/Positional Asphyxia. In 2003 those deaths numbered only 7 (a 59% drop) thanks to this campaign, which has distributed 2500 cribs and Reduce the Risk information to families in Allegheny County.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize the need to take the Back to Sleep campaign to the next level by implementing a Cribs for Kids campaign in their community.
• Identify community partners who will help to implement the program.
• Articulate the need for such a program to grantors, i.e.,community leaders, foundations, corporations, etc.
• Develop guidelines for referrals, qualification of applicants and distribution of the crib.
• Evaluate the Cribs for Kids Campaign and its impact on the infant mortality rates in the low-income areas of their community.

Related Web page: www.sids-pa.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: SIDS of Pennsylvania originated the Cribs for Kids Campaign and is presently working with the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and their School of Social Work to evaluate the Cribs for Kids Program.
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.

Recorded presentation