The City of York Mayor’s Office, along with York City’s Bureau of Health, and in partnership with WellSpan York Hospital, will be hosting a press conference for National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month on Monday, October 16, at City Hall Council Chambers, beginning at 1:00 P.M.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other infant sleep-related deaths, (the other referred to as SUID or Sudden Unexpected Infant Death), is the leading cause of death of infants between the ages of 1 and 12 months in the United States. Each year, approximately 3,400 babies are lost suddenly and unexpectedly to due SIDS/SUID, suffocation and accidental asphyxia in the bed. This is equivalent to 1 school bus full of children crashing and dying every week of the year.
In Pennsylvania, approximately 110 babies do not celebrate their first birthday every year because of SIDS/SUID. This translates to losing approximately 2 babies every week of the year. The City of York and WellSpan York Hospital believe that we can reduce the risk of SIDS, as many of these deaths are preventable. Mayor Helfrich, Dr. Michael Goodstein of WellSpan Neonatology, and County Coroner Pamela Gay, will be speaking. Mayor Helfrich will also present a proclamation recognizing the month of October as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month.
