New Zealand SIDS Death Rate Decreases

New statistics released by the New Zealand Ministry of Health show that the national rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) fell by 70% after an educational campaign in wrapping mattresses with special polyethelene covers was begun. The program began after research by a NZ scientist showed a link between SIDS and the toxic fumes emitted by mattresses.

According to the statistics, NZ Maori babies are 10 times more likely than NZ European (Pakeha) babies to die of SIDS.² Following the implementation of mattress-wrapping by the Pakeha community over the last eleven years (with an 85% reduction in their SIDS rate), New Zealand has the highest inter-ethnic SIDS disparity of any country in the world.