Michigan Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry - Components applying for: A, B, and C Project Title: Michigan Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry The purpose of the proposed project from the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) is to continue to monitor Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDs) in Michigan (Component A), enhance Michigan’s Sudden Death in the Young (SDY) Case Registry by expanding the jurisdiction from 2 to 12 counties (Component B), and implement a prevention strategy that strengthens Michigan’s seven regional 2-1-1 centers to better support parents and caregivers of infants based on AAP guidance (Component C). Component A: Continuing to monitor SUIDs in Michigan will increase access to high-quality, timely data for SUIDs statewide, including information on disparities and social determinants of health, for program improvement and public health purposes. Analysis and dissemination of SUID Case Registry data will allow for the development of evidence-based findings, creation of actionable recommendations, and implementation of tailored prevention initiatives. Additionally, it will improve death scene investigations, inform best practices and policy changes, and ultimately reduce the number of child fatalities. Since significant racial disparities exist among all child deaths, data analysis efforts will continue to focus on calling attention to structural inequities and opportunities to address social determinants of health. Component B: MPHI proposes to build on Michigan’s existing SDY Case Registry by expanding the Case Registry jurisdiction from 2 counties to all 12 counties served by the Medical Examiner’s (ME) office at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. The ME’s office serving the jurisdiction for the expanded SDY Case Registry commits to following standardized autopsy guidelines (including collecting, storing, and shipping blood and tissue samples), participating in SDY Advanced Review Team (ART) meetings, and supporting MPHI in offering parents/caregivers the opportunity to complete a family interview and/or consent to subsequent NIH-sponsored research activities. All current SDY ART members have committed to continuing to volunteer their time. Component C: MPHI will partner with Michigan 2-1-1 to facilitate efforts to increase access to resources and supports to assist Michigan parents and caregivers of infants in implementing safer sleep practices. Currently available information related to promoting safer infant sleep practices in Michigan 2-1-1’s online resource database is limited, and 2-1-1 specialists have not received training specific to providing supportive services to parents and caregivers of infants. Engagement of and collaboration with community members and other entities partnering with Michigan 2-1-1 will be used to inform additions to the online resource database and training for the more than 100 regional call center staff serving Michigan communities. MPHI will share SUID data with and engage new and existing partners in conversations to better understand challenges and facilitators to implementing safer sleep practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on assessing and addressing the needs of families and communities most impacted by SUID.
