In a press release earlier this month, Governor Mike Dewine announced that $5 million would be awarded to 19 community and faith-based organizations to improve support for pregnant women and newly-parenting families. The funding for these awards is through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Children and Youth.
Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA. said, “These grant funds are much needed and will go a long way in supporting and advancing maternal and infant health throughout Ohio, “These funds will expand the reach of important programs, information, and guidance in areas critical to the health and well-being of our youngest Ohioans, including prenatal care, breastfeeding and nutrition, and stress management, as well as connect families to other health and social resources vital to their success.”
The funds come at a time when both the maternal and infant mortality rates in Ohio are of major concern. The Ohio Infant mortality report found that:
- Prematurity remains the leading cause of death among all infants.
- Black infants died from prematurity-related causes and external injuries at three times the rate of White infants. They died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at two times the rate of White infants.
- One-third of infants who died in 2021 were born before 24 weeks gestation despite only accounting for 0.2% of all live births.
- One-fifth (21%) of infants who died in 2021 were born to mothers who reported smoking during the three months prior to pregnancy
The Ohio Department of Health has determined that 61% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable.
While experts agree that this funding is just a step toward improving infant and maternal mortality rates in Ohio, it is an important move in the right direction.
“We need strong local partners in order to effectively address our state’s maternal and infant mortality numbers,” said Kara Wente, director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. “We must work together at the state and local levels so that more children thrive and reach their first birthday.”