About

The Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality (ORC 3701.68) was created in 2014 with the goal of improving Ohio's infant mortality rate to help more Ohio babies celebrate their first birthdays. At the time the commission was created, Ohio ranked 46th in the nation for overall infant mortality and 50th for black babies. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a live-born baby before his or her first birthday.

Members of the commission include state legislators, directors or designees from a number of executive agencies, and representatives from Ohio's hospitals and community-based programs. The initial charge of the commission was to complete an inventory of state services and funding available to address infant mortality and make recommendations to the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly. That report is available here.

Senate Bill 332 (Jones/Tavares, 131st General Assembly) implemented recommendations from the commission including developing better data practices, cultivating collaboration between state and local initiatives, conducting public awareness campaigns, developing screening tools to focus resources on areas with the most pressing need, and addressing the social determinants of health.

The commission continues to meet at regular intervals to evaluate Ohio's progress and maintain focus on continued efforts to improve health outcomes for all of Ohio's children.