Each year about 4000 infants in the USA die as a result of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).1 Despite the vast literature on risk factors and the implementation of some successful prevention measures, the death rate has not decreased since 2000.2 As researchers we can play a role in reducing this gap by ensuring that research results are well communicated, both to our colleagues and to the public. In addition to intervention research, we need to study new and innovative methods for dissemination and implementation of evidence-based programmes, policies and practices, especially in high-risk populations.

Early prevention research in the USA and many other countries focused only on deaths classified as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a cause assigned to infant deaths that cannot be explained after a thorough case investigation.3 ,4 After death investigations in Europe and Australia …