Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Alaska Maternal Child Death Review (MCDR) SUID Case Registry Program - Each year approximately 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs) occur in the United States. These deaths often occur in the sleep environment. Although these deaths are often related to suffocation or asphyxiation, there are many complex physical, environmental, behavioral, and societal factors which may also be involved. Nationally, elevated rates of infant mortality, including SUID, have been observed within populations impacted by racism and oppression and MCDR data are consistent with these findings. MCDR’s review program encompasses diverse multi-disciplinary expertise, regional familiarity and cultural knowledge to make practical, trauma-informed and culturally tailored recommendations for prevention. MCDR will identify and review all SUIDs in Alaska. The purpose of this application is to improve the surveillance system and dissemination of recommendations and data through the following: 1) Address barriers to accurate and timely SUID case ascertainment, review and data entry. 2) Improve data quality, including uniform documentation of case circumstances. 3) Apply the CDC algorithm to categorize each case consistently and accurately. 4) Establish Registry classification algorithm derived mortality rates. 5) Improve utility of data and recommendations to inform practice and policy changes that address health disparities and include culturally sensitive and relevant information. During the project period, MCDR will identify all SUIDs within 30 days of the date of death and obtain comprehensive case records and conduct multidisciplinary reviews within 150 days of identification. Cases will be categorized using the CDC-provided algorithm during reviews. Data will be entered into the National Case Reporting System (CRS) within 30 days of review, and QA will be completed within 30 days of data entry. The MCDR Epidemiologist will analyze data to provide information on burden, risk factors, and opportunities for prevention, with a focus on identifying disparities and associated social determinants of health. The MCDR Program Manager will lead the program's efforts to disseminate data to internal and external audiences to inform practice and policy changes, and leverage partnerships to prevent deaths and reduce disparities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).