The Potential of Behavioral Economics to Promote Safe Infant Sleep Practices.

Objectives The purpose of this commentary is to highlight the potential of six Behavioral Economics (BE) concepts for promoting infant safe sleep practices. The rate of sleep-related deaths has not decreased over the last decade. It may be time to consider a novel paradigm to address this public health concern. BE has not yet been specifically considered for encouraging safe infant sleep practices. Methods This commentary features an integration of behavioral economic concepts and findings from the infant safe sleep literature. Results Six BE concepts-salience, choice overload, loss aversion, social norms, framing, and the identifiable victim effect- were identified for their potential in developing novel interventions for reducing sleep-related deaths during the first year of life. Conclusions BE strategies differ significantly from non-BE approaches for this public health concern. BE strategies appear feasible for widespread dissemination should they ultimately be efficacious.