The brains of infants who die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) produce low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that conveys messages between cells and plays a vital role in regulating breathing, heart rate, and sleep, reported researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. SIDS is the death of an infant before his/her first birthday that cannot be explained after a complete autopsy, an investigation of the scene and circumstances of the death, and a review of the medical history of the infant and of his/her family. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, SIDS is the third leading cause of infant death, claiming more than  

2,300 lives in 2006.

The researchers theorize that this newly discovered serotonin abnormality may reduce infants' capacity to respond to breathing challenges, such as low oxygen levels or high levels of carbon dioxide. These high levels may result from re-breathing exhaled carbon dioxide that accumulates in bedding while sleeping face down.

For this study, senior author Hannah C. Kinney, M.D., of Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston, and her colleagues examined small samples of tissue from the medulla, a region at the base of the brain that regulates basic functions such as body temperature, breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. The researchers analyzed brain tissue from infants who died from SIDS and controls who died of other causes. Included in the analysis were 35 infants who died of SIDS, 5 infants who died unexpectedly of other causes, and 5 infants who were hospitalized and died for reasons associated with a lack of oxygen.

Immunization Awareness

Immunization awareness is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly. This  is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season.

Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the United States and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis, and other diseases. But despite these efforts, people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends, and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections. So make sure you and your family is up to date.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention 

Infant Mortality Awareness  

Oklahoma's infant mortality rate of 8.0 deaths per 1,000 births has consistently remained above the national rate since 1992. The top causes of infant death in Oklahoma include disorders related to low birth weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) and short gestation (less than 37 completed weeks of pregnancy), congenital defects  (medical condition present at birth), and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant. African American and Native American babies in Oklahoma are at particularly higher risk for infant mortality than whites.

Oklahoma ranks 6th in the United States on infant mortality.

Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health

Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative

Our tribal personnel responsible for emergency response were provided a forum to network with other professionals working in emergency preparedness and response.   Attendees gained knowledgeable about the various roles and responsibilities within their tribal organization during an emergency event or incident.

Tribal members received training in National Incident Management System (NIMS).  NIMS provides knowledge about interoperability and compatibility among Federal, State, tribal, and local capabilities.  NIMS includes a core set of concepts, principles, and terminology and provides a consistent nationwide approach for tribal governments, Federal, State, local, and the private sector; and nongovernmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity.

Tribal members also received Incident Command Structure (ICS) 100 training.  ICS is used during all kinds of emergencies and is applicable to small as well as large and

complex incidents. ICS is used by various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private, to organize field-level incident management operations. ICS allows tribal personnel and community responders to adopt an integrated organizational structure that matches the complexities and demands of incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.  ICS allows all involved to know their roles and work together.