August 26, 2015
Pepi deaths prompt action hui
Wellington community and health workers are holding a call to action hui today to address the high rates of Maori SUDI or Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy in the region.
There are about six deaths a year in the three district health boards covering the Wellington region, with more than two thirds of the deaths being pepi Maori.
Kathrine Clarke, the national manager of Whakawhetu, a government funded national SUDI prevention programme for Maori, says high rates of smoking among Maori mums and bed-sharing mean that Maori are especially vulnerable.
Whakawhetu is encouraging whanau to use the safe-sleeping device wahakura and to support mothers to quit smoking.
More than 100 whanau and health workers are expected at Kokiri Marae for the hui, which will hear from experts including Dr David Tipene-Leach and Professor Ed Mitchell, Maori midwife Leith Porter-Samuels and shaken baby prevention advocate Kahurangi Ross.
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