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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2016 as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and November 2016 as Prematurity Awareness Month to support activities that promote risk reduction and healthy birth outcomes in Solano County (Chairwoman Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health & Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2016 as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and November 2016 as Prematurity Awareness Month to support activities that promote risk reduction and healthy birth outcomes in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recognize October 2016 as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and November 2016 as Prematurity Awareness Month. H&SS’s Public Health Division, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Bureau joins CDC and CDPH in these recognitions to increase public awareness of SIDS and premature births and to provide information regarding risk reduction steps Solano County residents can follow. This resolution acknowledges the commitment by the community to reduce rates of SIDS and premature births, and the need to follow safe sleep recommendations and healthy pregnancies to promote and protect the health of women, infants and their families.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The staff time associated with the planning SIDS Awareness activities in October and Prematurity Awareness activities in November is included in the Department’s FY2016/17 Approved Budget. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
H&SS, Public Health Division, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Bureau sponsors activities in Solano County during October to recognize and increase awareness about SIDS and in November to promote awareness and avoidance of premature births. Together with the CDC and CDPH, H&SS, Public Health Division, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Bureau recognizes that infant deaths from SIDS and prematurity are a great loss for families and the community and therefore, should be addressed as a significant public health issue.
SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough investigation is conducted. It is the third leading cause of death for all infants in California. The cause of SIDS remains unknown.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has made recommendations for reducing the risk of SIDS including: placing babies to sleep on their backs; placing babies on a firm surface; encouraging parents and caregivers to room-share instead of bed-share; eliminating smoking around the baby; preventing a baby from overheating during sleep; and keeping soft objects out of a baby’s sleep area. Prenatal care, breastfeeding, immunizations, and regular well-child checks are also important recommendations.
Prematurity is the leading cause of death for America's newborns. One out of ten babies is born premature in United States and those who survive may have lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, mental delay, chronic lung disease, blindness, and hearing loss. In 2014, premature births in Solano County constituted 8.1% or 424 out of Solano’s 5,235 total births. According to the Institute of Medicine, preterm births cost the United States at least $26 billion per year in economic costs including medical and educational expenses, or $51,600 per preterm infant.
Preterm labor and delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. However, lifestyle, environmental and health issues may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. These factors include: previous preterm birth; pregnancy with multiples; certain uterine or cervical abnormalities; diabetes, high blood pressure and other health conditions; late or no prenatal care; smoking, drinking alcohol or use of drugs; exposure to domestic violence; lack of social support; extremely high levels of stress; and long working hours with prolonged periods of standing. Receiving early comprehensive prenatal care can help ensure newborns are at optimum birth weights and help avoid stays in the neonatal intensive care units.
During the month of October, H&SS, Public Health Division, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Bureau coordinates SIDS prevention education activities, including displaying information at local libraries, providing information at health fairs, and partnering with local prenatal care and pediatric providers to provide current information about safe sleep practices to expectant parents and their families. In November, H&SS, Public Health Division, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Bureau’s BabyFirst Solano Initiative continues to encourage all pregnant women to see a doctor within the first three months of their pregnancy in order to give their baby a healthy start. BabyFirst Solano provides information about prenatal care at local health fairs, community events, and a variety of community agencies, and works with pregnancy test providers and prenatal care providers to eliminate barriers to early prenatal care.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to recognize SIDS Awareness Month in October and Prematurity Awareness Month in November. This is not recommended as these resolutions encourage and support awareness of the availability and need for education, research and risk-reduction activities related to SIDS and prematurity prevention.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Partner agencies joining H&SS, Public Health Division, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Bureau in efforts to prevent SIDS and premature birth include Solano County prenatal care providers participating in the Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, Partnership HealthPlan of California, and BabyFirst Solano Prenatal Care Collaborative.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION