RESOURCES

Promising Practices


In 2015, Franklin and Stark counties shared declines in the number of infant deaths, including black infant deaths. Community infant mortality coalitions and Ohio Equity Institute teams in both counties are pursuing promising practices that every Ohio community can adopt to help more babies reach their first birthday.

Infant Safe Sleep Practices


Suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death for babies before their first birthday. Babies who sleep on couches, in their parents’ bed, or on their stomach are more likely to die from an unexpected sudden cause. Know the ABCs of safe sleep: infants should be placed Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.

Smoking Cessation


Smoking is one of the most common preventable risk factors for infant mortality, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birthweight and stillbirth.

Breastfeeding


Protective properties of a mother’s milk are linked to a reduced risk of some infections and illnesses in newborns.

Alcohol Cessation


When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her unborn baby. Alcohol in the mother's blood passes through the placenta to the baby through the umbilical cord. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD is completely preventable.

Maternal Opiate Medical Support


M.O.M.S. is a program for pregnant women and mothers who struggle with opiate use. A care team of doctors and other staff work with such women to support them.

Disparities


The black infant mortality rate in Ohio is significantly higher than the white infant mortality rate. In 2013, ODH partnered with CityMatCH, a national organization that supports urban maternal and child health initiatives at the local level, to launch the Ohio Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes, commonly known as the Ohio Equity Institute. The partnership includes nine Ohio metropolitan communities to improve overall birth outcomes and reduce disparities in infant mortality. These metropolitan communities, which accounted for 90 percent of black infant deaths in Ohio in 2015, include Butler County, Canton-Stark County, Cincinnati-Hamilton County, Columbus, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County, Youngstown-Mahoning County, Dayton-Montgomery County, Summit County, and Toledo-Lucas County.


More information about the Ohio Equity Institute is available here .

Ohio Equity Institute Teams


Local Infant Mortality Initiatives