Parents and caregivers can rest easy knowing the steps to lower a baby’s risk for SUIDS and SIDS.
What is SUID/SIDS? Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of babies under the age of one. Types of SUID include:
SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Accidental suffocation or strangulation in a sleeping environment.
Other deaths from unknown causes.
How to Prevent SUID/SIDS The loss of an infant is tragic, but you can take steps to help prevent SUID. Babies sleep safely when they are:
Always on their backs
Never with pillows, blankets or toys in the crib
Always on a firm, flat mattress
Never in a bed shared with people or pets
Not over-dressed or in an over-heated room (maintain 68 – 72 degrees F.)
Together with Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, the Westchester County Board of Health presented the 2025 Public Health Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to public health in Westchester by two individuals and two nonprofit agencies. The award ceremony was held in honor of National Public Health Week, and highlighted the vital role that public health plays to preserve, protect and promote the health of Westchester residents.
Jenkins said: “Today, we honor two individuals and two agencies whose work helps to save and extend the lives of Westchester residents, whether through preventing tobacco use or drowning or through the detection, prevention and treatment of cancer. I want to thank the dedicated staff of our Health Department, Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler, and the volunteers who serve on our Westchester County Board of Health, for their essential service to our community. With their extraordinary concern for others, these volunteers set an example for all of us. I congratulate the winners and encourage other residents to choose this path.”
Board of Health Now Accepting 2026 Public Health Awards Nominations
The Westchester County Board of Health is now seeking nominations for the 2026 Public Health Service Awards. The Board wants to learn about and encourage adults, young people and not-for-profit programs whose volunteer work has demonstrated creativity and has helped to improve public health in Westchester.
The Board encourages community leaders, healthcare professionals, educators and residents to nominate worthy people or programs by January 9 using the nomination forms below. Previous awards have been presented to people and programs for efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce food insecurity, substance and tobacco use; improve teen, mental or environmental health; expand services to seniors, children, immigrants, parents or families affected by cancer.
“Each year, we look forward to learning about the innovative contributions to public health by busy teenagers, adults and organizations in Westchester,” said Dr. Robert Baker, president of the Westchester County Board of Health. “Presenting these awards is a highlight for us. Our hope is that these extraordinary people and programs inspire others to promote and protect public health in our County.”
The Dr Harold Keltz Distinguished Public Health Service Awardis presented annually to a person or community-based organization, whose efforts have made an extraordinary contribution to the public health of Westchester residents but who is not professionally engaged in public health work.
The J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award is an annual award to a student up to age 21 for his or her creative contribution to public health in Westchester. The award was created in 2014 in memory of J.R. Tesone, a Board of Health member with a lifelong commitment to Westchester children.
These awards will be presented in April to spotlight National Public Health Week, and the honorees and their achievements will be featured on the health department’s web pages.
