Jefferson County Healthy Mothers and Babies
Jefferson County Coalition Fights to End Sleep-Related Infant Deaths
The community trainings aim to bring local organizations together to change safe infant sleep environments and prevent future sleep-related tragedies.
Port Arthur, Texas: On Friday, June 28, the City of Port Arthur Health Department hosted a community-wide training in partnership with the State Health Department and the Healthy Mothers and Babies Coalition of Jefferson County (HMBJC). Let’s talk – safe sleep for infants. The event brought together local medical professionals and organizations to create a united front against sleep-related infant deaths in Jefferson County. Despite continued efforts and campaigns, these preventable tragedies remain prominent in many Texas communities.
Approximately 3,400 infants die each year in the United States from sleep-related causes. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the third leading cause of infant death in Texas. Studies have shown that non-Hispanic black infants are 2.5 times more likely to die from SIDS than non-Hispanic white infants. Other causes of sleep-related infant deaths include suffocation, strangulation, entrapment, or pinching.
“Safe infant sleep remains one of our top priorities,” says HMBJC Director Christina Patteson. “While we have seen improvements in the past, efforts to reduce preventable infant deaths have stalled. Campaigns such as the ABCs of Safe Sleep are well-known, but families still report unsafe habits. To increase the likelihood of changing safe sleep habits, we need to create individualized, consistent approaches based on each family’s unique needs and circumstances.”
Research shows that parents are more likely to change their behaviors and habits when they hear messages from multiple sources in their community, highlighting the importance of providing infant safe sleep and breastfeeding education in multiple locations. Let’s Talk – Safe Infant Sleep Community Training We encourage health professionals to talk to caregivers and families. Expert As a shared decision-making approach Problem SolversThis strategy builds a circle of support that: consistent Communicate safe infant sleep messages and increase the likelihood of behavior change.
“This was an invaluable experience for me,” said graduate student Shaletha Heim, RN, BSN. “I gained knowledge, insight, and community. The knowledge and tools provided left me feeling more confident and prepared for the implementation and evaluation process.”
of Let’s Talk – Infant Safe Sleep Community Training Representatives from many area organizations were on hand, including Southeast Texas Medical Center, Baptist Hospital, CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth, Buckner’s Project Hope and Phase programs, Garth House, Beaumont Public Health and the local WIC program.
“We are pleased with the overwhelming support from the community,” said Director Patteson. “With so many experts coming together in support of safe infant sleep practices and strategies, we are confident we can create positive change to eliminate preventable sleep-related infant deaths in Jefferson County and beyond.”
For more information on safe infant sleep, visit the Texas DSHS Safe Infant Sleep website: dshs.texas.gov/SafeInfantSleep
Healthy Mothers and Babies of Jefferson County (HMBJC) is a community coalition organized through the Port Arthur City Health Department that was established in 2018 in response to high maternal and infant mortality rates within Jefferson County, Texas. The coalition’s mission is to eliminate preventable deaths and racial disparities faced daily by mothers and babies in our community. The coalition’s efforts are overseen by HMBJC Director Christina Patteson and HMBJC Coordinator Rosetta Lewis Akrond.
Brandi Patteson
WIC & HMBJC Coalition Director
Port Arthur Health Department
5860 Ninth Ave, Port Arthur, TX 77642