Cuyahoga County Working To Prevent Infant Deaths

Cuyahoga County has approved a $67,346 increase in funding for the Newborn Home Visiting Program. Through that initiative, a registered nurse will go to the homes of low-income and teenage mothers to teach them about raising a child.

“The Newborn Home Visiting Program is an important component in our work to lower the county’s infant mortality rate,” said Rebekah Dorman, director of Cuyahoga County’s Invest in Children. “It’s all about setting up children and families for success. The program helps identify potential issues early, and it gives us a chance to connect families to other community resources that will help their children thrive.”

In Cuyahoga County, the racial disparity in infant mortality rates is stark and disturbing. Black infants are six times more likely to die than white infants in the county, according to research by the Center for Community Solutions. The county also has one of the highest overall infant mortality rates in the state.

During the Newborn Home Visits, the nurse will explain what a new mother can expect after giving birth. She'll also teach women about raising an infant, answering any questions a mother may have.

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The nurse will also complete a non-invasive health screening, which includes, "maternal depression screening, and will also conduct an environmental scan to check on the baby’s sleeping environment, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and any potential hazards that should be addressed. The goal is to identify concerns early and link the family with community resources and services that will help the child and family thrive."

The majority of infant deaths in Ohio occur during the neonatal stage, which comprises the first 27 days of a baby's life. Black infant mortality rate during the neonatal period increased 9 percent between 2016 and 2017.

"Infant deaths during the neonatal period are often the result of preterm birth or low birth weight and influenced by the health of the mother before and during pregnancy. Identifying at-risk women and connecting them to care can help reduce preterm birth and neonatal infant deaths," the ODH said.

In 2017, there were 118 infant deaths in Cuyahoga County, 88 occurred in the neonatal period. The infant mortality rate for the county was a staggering 8.8. In the past five years, between 2013 and 2017, there were 656 infant deaths in Cuyahoga, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

In 2017, in Ohio, there were 982 infant deaths. The vast majority, 684, occurred during the neonatal period, according to ODH statistics.

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