SIDS among Pacificans in New Zealand: an ecological perspective

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or Cot Death has unevenly affected ethnic groups more in New Zealand. This paper examines risk factors for SIDS from a political ecology perspective. The New Zealand Cot-Death Study (1987-1990) identified four modifiable risk factors of major concerns. These became the targets of a national prevention campaign. The four modifiable risk factors were: prone sleeping position of the baby, lack of breast feeding, maternal smoking and bed sharing. These four risk factors are more prevalent amongst Pacific and Mäori than others in New Zealand, and are influenced by cultural and other factors. This paper discusses these from a Pacific perspective. Through a discussion of the socio-economic situation of Pacific people in New Zealand and drawing on political ecology theory, it also challenges the classification of some risk factors as 'unmodifiable'. It argues that, through addressing the low socio-economic status of Pacificans, the so-called 'unmodifiable' risk factors are modifiable. Addressing these wider inequalities would contribute to the govaernment's aims of closing the social and economic gaps affecting Pacificans' health status and reduce the risk of SIDS among Pacific infants.