Abstract â–¡ 17

Evidence that strongly suggests the prone sleeping position is an avoidable risk factor for SIDS has been available since the mid-1980s. Yet many countries have been slow to develop formal policies for prevention. Only after pressure from professional groups and non governmental organizations and major media attention policy changes were introduced in a few western countries. The campaigns were lead buy organizations outside the Ministry of Health (MoH).

In Israel the situation was different starting with the question if there is a case for action on face of the fact that the infant mortality due to SIDS was very low albeit the broad definition.

This paper will analyze the forces and reasons for the Israeli MoH decision to lead the change for the non-prone sleeping position in infants and its effects. The authors view is that without a well-developed public health presence within the government and the appropriate means for disseminating information, many local campaigns and efforts by non-governmental organizations or expert committees were ineffective in changing practice.