Southeastern nursing students promote “ABC’s of safe sleep
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: July 17, 2013
HAMMOND – A group of senior Southeastern Louisiana University nursing students is launching
a community education program on risks associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS).
The students will discuss the health issue at a community health fair scheduled
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 20 at the Gloryland Baptist Church, 6745 Greenwell Springs
Road in Baton Rouge.
The students are reaching out to help parents and other caregivers reduce the
high incidence of death from SIDS, said nursing student Margie Moore.
"Approximately 3,000 babies die each year in the United States due to SIDS,"
she said, "and it is the leading cause of death in all infancies under one year of
age. In Louisiana, about 80 infants die of SIDS each year."
She said research has shown that placing babies to sleep on their backs dramatically
reduces the incidence of SIDS.
The program is part of a national safe sleep campaign that is promoting the ABC's
of safe sleep: Alone, on the Back, and in a Crib at night and for naps.
The students are conducting the program as part of their capstone nursing course,
a community outreach research course required of all senior nursing students at Southeastern.
Nursing Professor Sharon Landry is serving as their faculty mentor on the project.
Moore said additional information on SIDS can be obtained from Partners for Healthy
Babies at 1-800-251-BABY.
