Ohio health leaders are trying to pinpoint a variety of services to help bring down the number of infant deaths in the state every year. But dismal new statistics prove there’s still a long way to go.
A new report shows that 1,005 infants died in Ohio last year. This statewide infant mortality dilemma is even worse for African Americans. The report shows black babies are three times more likely to die compared to white babies. Dr. Mary DiOrio with the Ohio Department of Health says there’s one thing everyone can do to try and stem the epidemic. “If they know that someone is pregnant try to reach out to them and make sure that they have all the support that they need during the pregnancy. We do know that women who are pregnant that have community support do much better with their pregnancies.” DiOrio said.
The state’s Medicaid department also sent money out to Ohio’s largest urban populations to help fund health pregnancy programs.
