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Men to Discuss How to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death
in Lucas County
With high rates of infant deaths in Toledo’s black
community, the crisis is real
Each year, nearly 13,000
African American babies die before their 1st birthday – two
times more that white babies, from miscarriage, stillbirth,
suffocation, asphyxia, entrapment, infection, ingestion,
metabolic disease, cardiac arrhythmia, trauma (accidental or
non-accidental), SIDS and other deaths. In 2016, Lucas
County’s infant death rate for African American babies was
14.2 per 1,000 live births, and 5.0 for white babies.
To help reverse the trend,
African American men must mobilize.
A forum entitled A
Community of Committed Men, Protecting Tomorrow’s Future,
will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:30
pm at The Family Baptist Church, 1002 W. Bancroft, Toledo,
Ohio, to discuss strategies on how men can work together,
and in their communities, to reduce the infant mortality
rate and build awareness of the growing rate of infant
deaths in the African American community. The event is
sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Baby 1st
Network and the Global Infant Safe Sleep Center (GISS).
“Whether you’re a father,
grandfather, uncle, brother, or friend, every man must find
ways at home and in their community to help fight this
crisis,” said Mark Craig McBee, training consultant for GISS.
A Toledo native, McBee is a fire fighter for Toledo
Department of Fire & Rescue Operations, paramedic and first
responder.
Men can play a significant
role in reversing the trend by learning how to create a safe
sleep environment for an infant and then passing that
information on to another family member or neighbor. They
can learn how stress can impact a mother and infant and
share that information with others. Or sponsor an event or
support group in their neighborhood or at a church.
“There are many ways men
can make a difference,” said McBee. “This isn’t a woman’s
problem. As men, we have to share the burden and learn how
to protect the little ones.”
The event will allow men
in the community a chance to listen, learn, ask questions
and walk away with strategies they can take back to their
homes, neighbors, and communities.
“There are a lot of
resources out there and we are here to help guide men in
this community to teach other men how to reduce SIDS and
other sleep-related causes of infant death,” said Nathaniel
L. Jordan II, Community Relations Consultant for GISS and
Executive Director, Fatherhood Matters Program, Columbus
Kappa Foundation. “Lucas County has one of the highest rates
in Ohio, and we are working to offer programs that will turn
this around. We’re tapping into this resource by sharing our
knowledge.”
In Ohio, according to the
2015 data released by the Ohio Department of Health, a total
of 1,005 infants died before their first birthday. Racial
disparities persist with black infants dying at nearly three
times the rate of white infants. In Ohio from 2009-2013,
sleep related infant deaths accounted for 16% (836) of all
infant deaths reviewed and 46% (746) for infants aged 29
days to one year. Fifty-six percent (471) of sleep-related
deaths occurred in locations considered unsafe such as adult
beds, on couches or on chairs. Fifty-one percent (425) of
these deaths occurred to infants who were sharing a sleep
surface with another person (bed sharing).
“Infant mortality is
considered a basic measure of public health for countries
around the world,“ said Stacy Scott, Ph.D., Executive
Director for GISS, who was raised in Toledo and worked in
its communities. “We must identify and get rid of the
disparities that exist in infant mortality, and work to
achieve equity in birth outcomes.
“There are protective
measures that all caregivers can take to reduce the risk of
SIDS and other sleep-related death, and we want to get that
message out here in Toledo and throughout the state of
Ohio.”
The American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents and caregivers
follow these guidelines:
• Babies should always
sleep on their backs, at nighttime and naptime. Tummy and
side sleeping are not safe.
• Use a safety-approved
crib with a firm mattress and a tight-fitting sheet for
sleep. Room share with your baby by making sure their crib
is placed near your bed for at least the first 6 months. •
Do not share a bed or couch with your baby. Make sure your
baby has its own separate sleep space. Never let your baby
sleep on soft surfaces such as adult beds, waterbeds, sofas,
chairs, comforters, and sheepskins. • Keep all soft bedding
out of your baby’s crib. This includes loose bedding,
stuffed animals, and bumper pads. • Avoid overheating.
Dress your baby like you would dress and keep the room
temperature comfortable, not too warm. • Pregnant women
should receive regular prenatal care. • Do not smoke during
or after your pregnancy and avoid exposure to second-hand
smoke. These put your baby at a greater risk of dying from
SIDS. • Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy
and after birth. • Breastfeeding is recommended. • Use a
pacifier at naptime and nighttime after breastfeeding has
been established. • Do not use commercial devices marketed
to reduce the risk of SIDS such as wedges
If you would like more
information, please contact Karla Coleman at 248.978.3280 or
email at
kcoleman@gisscenter.org.
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