❓ Dr Hames asks about SIDS rates in Aboriginal communities and the status of a 2004 education campaign. Minister McHale acknowledges the issue, refers to a committee led by Professor Stanley, and links SIDS to co-sleeping, deflecting responsibility to the Minister for Health regarding public health campaigns.
AnsweredQoN 593Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES - SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
(1) Is it true that a significant cause of death in babies in Aboriginal communities is sudden infant death syndrome and that the rate of death in those communities is far greater than in non-Aboriginal communities? (2) If so, what measures have the minister and her department taken to initiate the education campaign that she said was needed in 2004; and, in particular, has the minister ensured that Aboriginal women are aware that smoking around their babies is a significant contributor to SIDS? Ms S.M. McHALE
(1) Is it true that a significant cause of death in babies in Aboriginal communities is sudden infant death syndrome and that the rate of death in those communities is far greater than in non-Aboriginal communities? (2) If so, what measures have the minister and her department taken to initiate the education campaign that she said was needed in 2004; and, in particular, has the minister ensured that Aboriginal women are aware that smoking around their babies is a significant contributor to SIDS? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
(2) If so, what measures have the minister and her department taken to initiate the education campaign that she said was needed in 2004; and, in particular, has the minister ensured that Aboriginal women are aware that smoking around their babies is a significant contributor to SIDS? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
(1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
(2) If so, what measures have the minister and her department taken to initiate the education campaign that she said was needed in 2004; and, in particular, has the minister ensured that Aboriginal women are aware that smoking around their babies is a significant contributor to SIDS? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
I thank the member for Dawesville for his question and deep concern for issues affecting Aboriginal communities. (1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
(1)-(2) It is my understanding that SIDS is an issue for Aboriginal mothers. Although we have seen a reduction in the deaths of babies from SIDS in the non-indigenous community, it is not something that we have seen in the Aboriginal community. SIDS in Aboriginal babies is an issue. In recognising this, I referred this issue to the Western Australian committee on deaths of children, which is chaired by Professor Fiona Stanley. That research is at the forefront in this field in Australia. For the first time, we have a far better understanding of the causes of death. In relation to SIDS and the associated issue of co-sleeping - Dr K.D. Hames : I did not refer to co-sleeping, but to smoking. Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
Ms S.M. McHALE : There is a corresponding relationship between SIDS and deaths by co-sleeping. I am not sure whether the member is aware of that. He needs to look at that. That matter has been referred to that committee for further analysis. I am sure that the Minister for Health will be in a position to indicate that the public health campaigns focus on Aboriginal families when promoting public health issues such as smoking and the precursor for SIDS and co-sleeping. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order.
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