Racial disparity and modifiable risk factors among infants dying suddenly and unexpectedly.

Background: Racial disparity in rates of death attributable to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been observed for many years. Despite decreased SIDS death rates following the "Back to Sleep" intervention in 1994, this disparity in death rates has increased. The prone sleep position, unsafe sleep surfaces, and sharing a sleep surface with others (bedsharing) increase the risk of sudden infant death.