Infant Mortality

The concurrent resolution to raise awareness of mental health concerns of women around pregnancy has support from Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Ohio Statehouse.

Ohio’s infant mortality rate has improved slightly in the past decade. But Black babies in the state are dying at a rate more than twice as high as white infants.

In the seven to 14 months after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, the U.S. had a 7% increase in infant mortality, and a higher increase among babies with birth defects.

The legislation on infant mortality now goes to the Ohio Senate.

Basma Abdul Karim Alkelezli, 36, and her 19-year-old daughter Hanan Ahmad Al Jabouli were charged with a felony charge of abuse of a corpse and are due in court next week.

The infant mortality rate remains stubbornly high in Franklin County with 140 babies every year dying before their first birthday. CelebrateOne’s new Executive Director, Danielle Tong, who was hired in July, is working to focus on racial disparities to lower infant deaths.

Infant mortality has long been an issue in Ohio. A new report by the Health Policy Institute advocates looking beyond healthcare initiatives to solve the problem.

Kent State researchers and specialists will work with expectant mothers in the Cleveland and Akron areas who have PTSD or chronic stress. The program is also a research study that may inform policy decisions.

A Franklin County Public Health program funded with $300,000 from county commissioners aims to support black women throughout their pregnancies and until their child is 3 to help reduce the disparity in the infant mortality rates.

Homelessness hurts every aspect of a person’s life. This is especially true when it comes to the health of pregnant women and their babies. Today on Wellness Wednesday on All Sides with Ann Fisher, we look at the findings of a central Ohio research project aimed at promoting housing stability and healthier mothers and infants.