Reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in the Delta region of Mississippi: a three-pronged approach

Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1994, which encouraged positioning infants on their backs for sleeping, the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has decreased dramatically in the United states but remains high in some rural Mississippi communities. We discuss some of the hypotheses and etiologic factors of SIDS. The high incidence of SIDS in the Delta region of Mississippi could be dramatically reduced, primarily through an intensified Back to Sleep campaign. Furthermore, the importance of health education in increasing breast-feeding rates and reducing passive smoke exposure rates in this community is emphasized.