Sleep environment hazards contribute largely to sudden unexpected infant deaths

Placing infants on their backs on a firm crib mattress without soft bedding or other objects in the crib as well as not practicing bed sharing with adults are key practices that help to prevent sudden unexpected infant deaths, a recent study from the American Journal of Public Health suggests.

Researchers obtained data from the National Child Death Review Case Reporting System. They pulled data between years 2005 to 2008 from nine U.S. states to assess 3,136 sleep-related sudden unexpected infant deaths, or SUIDs. They discovered that only 25 percent of infants were sleeping in a crib or on their back when found. Seventy percent were on a surface not intended for infant sleep, such as an adult bed. Sixty-four percent of infants were sharing a sleep surface, and almost half of these infants were sleeping with an adult. Infants whose deaths were classified as suffocation or an undetermined cause were significantly more likely than infants whose deaths were classified as sudden infant death syndrome to be found on a surface not intended for infant sleep and to be sharing that sleep surface. By identifying the modifiable sleep environment risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome, awareness about preventive steps can be made.

The study’s authors concluded, “Our findings have important implications for preventing injuries and reducing SUID mortality. We identified modifiable sleep environment risk factors in a large proportion of SUIDs, regardless of the ultimate cause of death classification.”

[From: “Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths: Sleep Environment and Circumstances.” Contact: Patricia G. Schnitzer, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .]

Source: http://www.newswise.com/articles/am-jrl-of-public-health-june-2012-highlights

NSC releases State of the Nation report during Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The National Safety Council has just issued its 2012 State of the Nation of Cell Phone Distracted Drivingreport. In the three years since NSC called for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving, progress has been made in legislation and enforcement, corporate policy, public perception and technology. While addressing these five key areas, the report emphasizes the need for further improvement.

Download the report and listen to this recording providing an overview.

MSC Statement on New University of Texas Report Confirming Fracturing's Safety Record

Canonsburg, PA – A new report commissioned and funded by the University of Texas at Austin’s Energy Institute provides further, science-based confirmation that hydraulic fracturing “has no direct connection to reports of groundwater contamination.” The group of independent academic experts, along with input from the Environmental Defense Fund, also determined that “Media coverage of hydraulic fracturing is decidedly negative, and few news reports mention scientific research related to the practice,” which is tightly regulated.

Read more: MSC Statement on New University of Texas Report Confirming Fracturing's Safety Record