The number of infant deaths in Ohio increased slightly last year — to 1,005 from 955 in 2014 — despite efforts in Akron and across the state to curb infant mortality.
Premature births, sleep-related deaths and birth defects were the three primary causes, according to new data released by the Ohio Department of Health.
Department Director Rick Hodges said the state’s infant mortality is trending down over time and has improved faster than the national rates during the past five years.
“Still, these numbers show that we still have a lot of work to do to save babies’ lives, especially African-American babies,” Hodges said. “That is why the state is providing substantial funding to support local initiatives targeting neighborhoods at risk for poor birth outcomes, and it is why we are encouraging communities to pursue identified promising practices in reducing infant mortality.”
Last week, Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan held a health equity summit focused on premature birth and infant mortality.
The goal of the inaugural summit was to bring together leaders in health care, government, faith-based and grass-roots groups and others to develop a citywide infant mortality intervention plan.
In the last state budget, Ohio allocated $26.8 million through the Ohio Medicaid program to support community-driven proposals to combat infant mortality at the local level.
In June 2016, the Ohio Department of Medicaid announced the funding would support 46 local projects in nine Ohio metropolitan areas, including Summit County, that accounted for close to two-thirds of all infant deaths, and 90 percent of black infant deaths, in Ohio in 2015.
Amanda Garrett can be reached at 330-996-3725 or agarrett@thebeaconjournal.com.