Infant mortality rates concern Ohio lawmakers

Ohio faces a healthcare crisis. At

almost eight deaths per 1,000 infants, Ohios infant mortality rate
ranks 47th among states according
to recent reports.* The infant
mortality rate among African
American households in Ohio ranks last in the
country. While infant mortality rates have declined nationwide in the past decade, Ohios remained stagnant. In 2012 alone over 1,000 infants died before their first birthday in Ohio.*

Despite the sustained epidemic in Ohio, the recently passed House version of the two-year
state budget calls for the elimination of family
planning, prenatal care and health and wellness
coverage for pregnant women earning between
$21,708 and $31,460up to 200 percent of the
federal poverty level. Poverty is one of the main
non-medical contributors to infant mortality,
where low-income women are less likely to have
access to prenatal care.

Even with setbacks during budget neResearch indicates that the majority of infant
gotiations, state lawmakers took a
deaths come as result of premature birth and
step to raise awareness about infant
pregnancy complications. Health officials argue,
mortality last month. State Reps.
however, that many of these deaths are preNickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and
ventable with adequate prenatal care.
Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge) offered a resolution declaring the states infant mortality epiStatistics show a baby born to a woman without demic a public health crisis and urged all pregprenatal care is three times more likely to be
nant women in Ohio to have a comprehensive
born at a low birth weight and five times more
preterm birth risk screening. They also called on
likely to die before its first birthday than a baby lawmakers, healthcare advocates and women to
born to a mother receiving prenatal care.*
push for more change. The resolution passed
unanimously.
Prenatal care reduces the incidence of preterm
births, thus lowering high healthcare costs asso- *https://www.odh.ohio.gov/~/media/Images/Ohio%20Commitment%202013h%202%20FNL%
2012172013.ashx
ciated with neonatal intensive care stays for preterm infants.

House marks first Prescription Drug Abuse & Awareness

Education Day
On May 1, Ohio legislators recognized the inauAs part of the effort combat the growing rate of
gural Prescription Drug Abuse and Awareness Ed- drug abuse, the awareness day helps educate
ucation Day. In 2014, state legislators passed a
Ohioans about the dangers of misusing prescriplaw designating the awareness day as
tion medicationespecially pain killers,
the first Friday in May.
which are extremely addictive.
Recently, the Ohio Department of Health
reported that there have been more than
10,000 deaths caused by drug overdoses
in Ohio since 2002mainly attributed to
the states prescription pill and heroin
epidemic. According to the report, from
1999 to 2013, Ohio experienced a 413
percent increase in deaths caused by overdoses.

By encouraging open discussion about

the dangers of abusing prescription
drugs, we can help those who already
find themselves addicted to identify and
connect with resources and treatment.