COLUMBUS – Despite a nearly 2 percent increase in the infant mortality rate in Ohio last year, state officials say progress is being made in the battle against one common cause of death among the state’s youngest residents.
According to data released Friday by the Ohio Department of Health, there were 22 percent fewer sleep-related infant deaths last year than in 2015, continuing a downward trend that officials say corresponds with state and local initiatives to promote safe sleep practices.
“While we have seen some progress in preventing sleep-related infant deaths, we still have a lot of work to do, particularly in the areas of premature births and racial disparities. That is why the state is investing millions of dollars in local initiatives that will help more Ohio babies reach their first birthdays, particularly in high-risk communities and populations,” said ODH Director Lance Himes.
The mortality rate among African-Americans is 15.2, more than twice the statewide rate of 7.4 and nearly triple that of whites.
The leading causes of infant death in Ohio are related to premature births – those before 37 weeks of gestation – which include low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome and which account for 30 percent of the state’s infant deaths. State officials say Ohio’s rate of premature birth has not changed dramatically over the past several years.
The number of Ohio infants who died before their first birthday increased from 1,005 in 2015 to 1,024 in 2016, an increase of 1.8 percent.
Franklin County’s infant 2016 mortality rate of 8.7 per 1,000 live births is 1.1 percent lower than in 2015 and is tied with Cuyahoga County for second-highest among Ohio’s largest counties. Hamilton County’s rate of 9.1 is highest among the state’s most populous counties.