Infant Mortality Issues See Progress Over 10 Years in Ohio, Still More Work to be Done, Study Shows
Source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/
A recent study by Groundwork Ohio highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in addressing infant mortality in the state. Despite efforts over the past decade, Ohio has seen a rise in infant mortality rates, particularly among Black infants, who face rates nearly double that of white infants. The report notes systemic issues, including inequities in access to healthcare, which contribute to these disparities. The state’s infant mortality rate was reported at 7.6 deaths per 1,000 births in 2012, ranking Ohio 45th nationally, with Black infants at a significantly higher rate of 13.9 per 1,000. Former state senators emphasized the bipartisan effort to improve these alarming statistics, reflecting the need for comprehensive healthcare reforms.
The report from Groundwork Ohio reveals ongoing issues with infant mortality and birth weight among Medicaid enrollees, noting a rise in premature births since 2019. Established after concerning 2012 data, the Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality has contributed to a slight decline in the overall mortality rate from 7.6 to 7.1 per 1,000 births by 2022. However, Black infants’ mortality rates remain disproportionately high, decreasing only slightly from 13.9 to 13.4 per 1,000, while white infant mortality has improved to 5.7 per 1,000. The main causes of death include prematurity, congenital defects, and external injuries. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health inequities, and despite legislative efforts, disparities between Black and white infant mortality rates persist. Ohio’s goal to reduce infant deaths to no more than 6 per 1,000 by 2022 was unmet, and the state has pushed the target to 2028. The report criticizes Ohio for lagging behind national trends in reducing infant mortality and highlights the crucial role of the Medicaid program in addressing these issues.
The report emphasizes the vital role of Ohio’s Medicaid program in maternal and infant health, covering nearly half of all births in the state. In 2022, over half of infant deaths were among mothers with Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services now require states to report on health disparities, and Ohio conducts surveys like the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and the Ohio Pregnancy Assessment Survey to track maternal health metrics.
Groundwork Ohio found that, while the state shows better performance in some clinical metrics—such as timely prenatal care, postpartum follow-ups, and cesarean deliveries—efforts still fall short. Medicaid participants have better access to timely prenatal care than the overall population and the national average. However, postpartum follow-up rates for Medicaid users are significantly lower than both the state and national averages, indicating that many women are still not receiving necessary care, leading to poorer outcomes compared to other states.
In Ohio’s Medicaid population, the rate of low birth-weight babies is 11.4%, exceeding both the national Medicaid average of 10.2% and the overall state and national rates of 8.7% and 8.6%, respectively. Preterm births are also higher among Medicaid patients at 12.8%, compared to 10.8% in the state overall and 10.4% nationally.
The state has employed a targeted approach to reduce infant mortality in counties with high Black infant death rates, collaborating with the Ohio Equity Institute since 2012. While this strategy is promising, implementation has been inconsistent, with some key providers not fully engaged.
Although expanded home-visiting services and improved Medicaid managed care have shown benefits, many families still miss out on these resources, especially those most in need. The report argues that simply counting program implementations is insufficient for measuring success in maternal and infant health. It calls for strong, accountable leadership at both state and local levels and emphasizes the need for a renewed commitment to prioritize these issues and achieve data-driven results.
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