Pennsylvania Child Death Review

Infant Safe Sleep

2012 Annual Report Recommendations
In order to reduce the number of sleep-related deaths the CDR Program recommends:

Administrative Recommendations:

Expand the Pennsylvania Infant Death Program‟s Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suffocation and strangulation public education campaign, particularly in low- income and minority communities.
o Justification: Rates of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths are highest among these populations. Public education activities should target those with the greatest risk.

Develop Safe Sleep public service announcements (PSAs) for mass media (television, radio, internet) to be used in conjunction with available print media.
o Justification: PSAs have proven to be effective in changing health behaviors such as smoking and driving while under the influence. They are most effective when incorporating multiple media to reach a broader audience and reinforce the message.

Provide funding for the distribution of cribs to low-income families. This can be done through “Cribs for Kids” or similar programs.
o Justification: Many low-income families cannot afford a crib and, thus, practice unsafe sleep practices.

Recommend that the Department endorse the AAP recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment.

o Justification: Endorsement of the AAP recommendations will serve to reinforce the message on safe sleep practices and draw attention to the issue.
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