City-Wide Infant Safe Sleep Public Awareness Campaign Announced -- 6.4.2014
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 For More Information: Erica Rosenthal (216) 409-9485
[email protected] Columbus Public Health Announces City-Wide Infant Safe Sleep Public Awareness Campaign
Multimedia campaign, emphasizing the ABC’s of safe sleep, expanded locally Columbus, OH June 4, 2014 – Every week in Ohio, 3 babies die in unsafe sleep environments – including adult beds, couches and chairs. In Columbus alone, 79 infants died from 2009-2011 due to unsafe sleep habits.
As part of the city’s priority to reduce infant mortality, Columbus Public Health (CPH) is collaborating with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to expand a public awareness campaign on June 9 to help reduce the number of Columbus babies who die in unsafe sleep environments. The campaign will emphasize the ABC’s of safe sleep for infants: babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a safety-approved Crib.
“We know that babies that share a room and not a bed and are placed alone in their crib have a decreased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome),” said Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “Babies that are placed on their backs are also less likely to choke. It is also important to ensure that infants are placed in a safety-approved crib with no bumper pads or pillows in order to avoid suffocation.”
The public awareness campaign, geared towards mothers, fathers and other infant caregivers, will utilize several media channels including television, radio, print and online advertisements and public service announcements (PSAs); PSAs in movie theatres; social media, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; and posters throughout Columbus. Those interested in learning more about the ABC’s of safe sleep are encouraged to visit www.safesleep.ohio.gov.
The campaign will run until March 2015, and is funded in part by the Central Benefits Health Care Foundation. The Ohio Department of Health is also continuing to broadcast campaign messages and advertisements statewide.
“We are very excited to be a part of this collaborative effort to reduce infant mortality in Columbus,” said William C. Mechling, chairman, Central Benefits Health Care. “Our research indicates that these messages will resonate with mothers, fathers, caregivers and even soon-to-be parents so that we can see more infants reach their first birthdays.”
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