Explore How to Combat Sleep-Related Infant Deaths
Webinar hosted by MDHHS Office of Faith Engagement
October 17, 2024 (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EST)
Location: Virtual
Presenter: Colleen Nelson
Did you know babies are dying at an alarming rate before they reach one year of age? Sleep-related infant death is a leading cause of death among children less than a year old. Sleep-related deaths are preventable. We invite you to participate in this Informational Forum to become both educated and armed with the steps to help save babies’ lives.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) SUID Case Registry, Michigan Public Health Institute, a total of 578 Wayne County infants died due to sleep-related causes from 2010 to 2021. Among sleep-related deaths within Wayne County, 409 were residents of the City of Detroit and 169 were residents of Out-Wayne County (Wayne County excluding the City of Detroit). The average number of sleep-related infant deaths over the twelve-year period was 48.2 per year in Wayne County (34.1 in the City of Detroit and 14.1 in Out Wayne County).
Colleen Nelson, LMSW, Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator
MDHHS
Colleen Nelson is the Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. As the Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator, Colleen is responsible for implementing the Department’s state-wide strategy to promote infant safe sleep and developing and conducting training. Colleen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Community Services from Michigan State University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan.