Ohio’s high infant mortality rates have long been a subject of concern, for residents and lawmakers alike. Former Ohio state senators Shannon Jones and Charleta B. Tavares set aside their party differences 11 years ago, in an effort to lower the maternal mortality rates. They recently co-authored an article on their efforts then—and what still needs to be done.
The article reflects on their efforts to combat Ohio’s high infant mortality rates, particularly among Black infants. These remain alarmingly high, despite Ohio’s past legislative efforts. The 2016 passage of Senate Bill 332 was designed to create a more equitable healthcare system, but progress has been slow. As of 2021, Black infants continued to die at over twice the rate of white infants.
Jones and Tavares propose four strategies to address the crisis:
- Strengthen collaboration and accountability: The authors suggest linking Medicaid funding to hospital and provider participation in local health improvement initiatives.
- Enhance consumer and stakeholder engagement: Next, the authors propose involving communities in policymaking and addressing social determinants of health, which have a strong impact on infant and maternal mortality rates.
- Support infrastructure and workforce development: Tavares and Jones propose to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates and invest in the OB/GYN workforce.
- Expand state leadership in value-based care: Finally, the authors suggest transitioning to value-based purchasing, which should improve maternal health outcomes.
Jones and Tavares also emphasize that improving outcomes requires stronger leadership and accountability. They note that this situation demands a collective commitment to solving not just maternal and infant health issues, but more broadly, the underlying systemic issues affecting Ohio infants.
How medical malpractice affects infant mortality
Infant deaths can occur when healthcare providers fail to provide proper care during pregnancy, childbirth or immediately after birth. Healthcare providers are required to follow established standards of care—and if they fail to do so, it can lead to lifelong conditions or death.
Mistakes like misdiagnosing conditions, delaying treatment for complications (such as infections or breathing issues), improper use of medical tools or failing to respond to emergencies can lead to preventable infant deaths. Similarly, inadequate monitoring of the baby’s health or failure to follow safety protocols also contribute to these risks.
If you or a loved one have been subject to medical malpractice, help is available. Reach out to the Law Offices of Tim Misny to learn more about your legal options.
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