Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health

Current Situation - Infant Mortality is one of the most important measures of the health of a nation.  Ohio's Infant Mortality rate is 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to the national rate of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.  Allen County's rate is 8.0 per 1,000 live births.  In Allen County, the African-American Infant Mortality rate is about double that of the white population (13.1 compared to 6.0). (Ohio Department of Health, 2016)

Key Data Points

• In 2017, 10.1% of Allen County births were low birth weight babies, compared to 8.5% of births in Ohio. (Ohio Live Births, Ohio Department of Health)
• In 2017, 12.3% of the babies born in Allen County were pre-term or very pre-term compared to 12.2% in Ohio. (Ohio Department of Health)
• The 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card shows that "Ever Breastfed" rate in Ohio was 77.7% compared to 81.1% in the United States. Allen County WIC's "Ever Breastfed" rate was 66.0% in 2012. 

Trends

Successes

• In Allen County, the African American or black Infant Mortality rate decreased from 13.3 per 1,000 in 2006-2010 to 12.3 per 1,000 in 2008-2012. (Number of Infant Deaths and Infant Mortality Rates, by County, by Race, 5-year average rates, Ohio 2008-2012, Ohio Department of Health)
• Allen County WIC's "Ever Breastfed" rate increased from 56.4% in 2010 to 66.0% in 2012.

 Opportunities for Improvement 

• The rate for low birth weight has increased slightly from 9.4 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 10.1 per live births in 2016.  (Vital Stats Annual County Birth Summary, 2010 and 2016, Center for Public Health Statistics and Informatics, Ohio Department of Health)
• Early prenatal care (care that occurred in the first trimester) deceased from 79.1% in 2010 to 71.8% in 2016.  (Vital Stats Annual County Birth Summary, 2010 and 2016, Center for Public Health Statistics and Informatics, Ohio Department of Health)

 At-A-Glance

Infant Mortality Rates

* This table shows the differences in Infant Mortality Rates among both of the White and African American populations.  (Ohio Department of Health)

What is being done in our Community?

Moms & Babies First, formerly Caring For Two, is a neighborhood outreach program that provides in-home visits during and after pregnancy (from birth through the child’s first birthday). The program is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Health called Ohio Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative, and provides care coordination services to eligible participants. A community health worker (CHW) along with a licensed social worker provide these services. The CHW is a trained advocate from the community who empowers individuals to access community resources through education, outreach, home visits, and referrals.  For more information visit www.allencountypublichealth.org.

The Maternal Infant Task Force was convened in 2015 through the Community Health Improvement Planning process. The group is working to improve prenatal and infant health through the coordination of services.