By: Jazmin Long Dear Mayor: I am writing to promote awareness of the seriousness of infant mortality (deaths of children before they reach their first birthdays) in Cleveland. Infant mortality is an indicator used to assess the health and wellbeing of a community, a state or a nation. As the president & CEO of Birthing Beautiful...
How midwives help outcomes for women and babies
The United States experiences unprecedentedly high rates of maternal deaths. In a study that compares the United States to 10 other developed countries, women in the United States had the highest ratio of maternal deaths. For example, there were 17.7 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the United States compared to 1.7 maternal deaths...
What is a midwife?
For the past several years, Community Solutions has raised awareness of poor maternal and infant health outcomes by advocating for policy changes that would increase the availability of data; eliminate racism, discrimination and prejudice in the health care system; and to increase insurance access for low-income mothers. Recently, however, we have identified that for favorable...
Doulas play crucial role in maternal health
Throughout our coverage of developments in maternal and infant health, policies and initiatives, we have continuously referred to doulas as a key part of a pregnant woman’s support team. In fact, we even testified before the Ohio Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee on why we believe doulas should be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement...
Ohio Department of Health provides update to the Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality
The Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality held a meeting on September 16 to discuss changes to home visiting programs due to COVID-19. Led by Senator Stephanie Kunze and Representative Sara Carruthers, the Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality focuses on improving the infant mortality rate in Ohio so that more babies will celebrate their first birthdays....
Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality Focus of ‘Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story’
Last week, First Year Cleveland through their Pregnancy And Infant Loss Initiative (PAIL), debuted a short film that tells the story of infant loss from a black women’s perspective. As the film website explains, the film invites the viewer to “Follow Nina in this day-in-the-life drama, and see the world through the eyes of a...
Maternal health in Ohio listening session hosted by Minority Leader Emilia Sykes
By Tara Britton, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Melissa Federman, Treuhaft Chair for Health Planning In January, Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) hosted a listening session specific to maternal health in Ohio. Sykes was joined by 14 House Democrats – all women – and State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard). Both Sykes and Kunze have recently been...