Res. No. 1567 Title Resolution recognizing October 2000 as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month in the City of New York. Body By the Speaker (Council Member Vallone) and Council Members Robles. Berman, Boyland, Clarke, Dear, Malave-Dilan, Henry, Koslowitz, Linares, Michels, Miller, Nelson, O'Donovan, Rivera, Abel and Stabile; also Council Members DiBrienza, Eisland, Espada, Foster, Lasher, Leffler, Povman and Robinson Whereas, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under the age of twelve months, which remains unexplained after a case investigation, including the performance of a complete autopsy, an examination of the death scene, and a review of the clinical history; and Whereas, SIDS claims its young victims during their sleep, striking babies who appear to be healthy;and Whereas, According to Sids Alliance, SIDS is believed to be responsible for more deaths than any other cause of death during childhood, claiming 150,000 victims in the United States in this generation alone, which is nearly 3,000 babies each year; and Whereas, Scientists and researchers have been unable to determine the cause or causes of SIDS, but are making great progress in identifying factors that increase the risk of SIDS; and Whereas, In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first recommended that infants be placed to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS, in addition to advising that parents utilize a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib for their babies, eliminate pillows and comforters from the baby's sleep environment, keep their baby's face and head clear of blankets and other coverings during sleep, and provide a smoke-free environment for their babies; and Whereas, Over the course of the past six years, the SIDS Alliance, in cooperation with the U.S. Public Health Service and the AAP, has launched the "Back to Sleep" campaign, a nationwide initiative, designed to reduce the number of SIDS deaths through public awareness and education campaigns regarding risk reduction strategies; and Whereas, The "Back to Sleep" initiative is credited for bringing about a 38% reduction in SIDS death rates from 1992 to 1997, the equivalent of saving 2,000 babies' lives each year and for helping to increase the prevalence of babies sleeping on their backs from 13% in 1992 to 53% in 1997; and Whereas, According to the SIDS Alliance, it is estimated that African-American babies are 21/2 times more likely to die of SIDS than the general population; and Whereas, This October, there will be an intensive local SIDS awareness campaign, funded in part by the City Council, that will target African-American and Hispanic families; and Whereas, There campaign will sponsor a series of public service announcements, both in English and Spanish, on television, in print and on the radio; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes October, 2000 as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness Month in the City of New York. BM C:\Resos\Vallone, Robles-SIDS LS 3508 9\28\00