Groundwork Ohio unveils report on Ohio's infant mortality crisis
In recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month this September, Groundwork Ohio released a new report Thursday titled "Infant Mortality in Ohio: A 10-Year Look at the Impact of Policy Changes and Opportunities for the Future.” The report highlights the ongoing challenges and racial disparities that persist in Ohio's infant mortality rates, particularly for Black infants, despite a decade of legislative efforts aimed at reducing infant deaths.
The data reveals that while Ohio has made some progress since the passage of Senate Bill 332 eight years ago, which aimed to tackle infant mortality, the state still ranks among the bottom 10 in the nation for infant vitality. Disturbingly, Black infants continue to die at rates more than twice that of white infants.
“Improving maternal and infant health outcomes is a moral and public health imperative,” said Lynanne Gutierrez, President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio. “Our report sheds light on both the successes and the gaps in policy and practice over the past decade.”
The report was released alongside a virtual expert panel discussion earlier Thursday featuring Shannon Jones and Charleta B. Tavares, former state legislators who co-sponsored Senate Bill 332. They reflected on their decade of work addressing Ohio’s infant mortality crisis in a Cleveland.com op-ed and during the panel discussion. Other panelists included:
• Kara B. Wente, Director, Ohio Department of Children and Youth
• Jill Miller, President & CEO, Bethesda Inc. & bi3
• Dr. Meredith Smith, Executive Director, Cradle Cincinnati.
Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Wente outlined a bold vision for the agency, committing to a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing infant mortality in the state.
“Data matters. Transparency and accountability matter … [Ohio is] ranked 44th [for infant mortality] and that is unacceptable. It’s unacceptable to us. It’s unacceptable for our kids and families,” said Director Wente. “How do we get to be in the top 10? ... We have to save 330 more babies every year, which would be a 37-percent reduction in infant mortality.”
In response, Lynanne Gutierrez expressed her support, saying, “We are grateful for this leadership and commitment to prioritize the health of our most vulnerable populations.”
To view the full discussion, watch the recording at https://youtu.be/RIZLB0V3_e0.
The report released by Groundwork Ohio highlights the key factors driving Ohio’s infant mortality, including prematurity, congenital defects and the systemic inequities in healthcare access that disproportionately affect Black families.
Ohio’s infant mortality rate has declined slightly, from 7.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2012 to 7.1 in 2022, but progress has been uneven. The mortality rate for Black infants, although showing minor improvement, remains alarmingly high at 13.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.7 for white infants.
The report emphasizes that despite policy changes, stronger leadership and accountability are required to achieve significant progress. It calls for collective action from all sectors, including health care, government, and community organizations, to address these disparities and save the lives of Ohio’s infants.
A full report including all findings is available at https://www.groundworkohio.org/_files/ugd/d114b9_3dca1615a46646619c10db….
Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data-driven and evidence-based early childhood policies. Learn more about Groundwork Ohio online and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.