‘Can’t prevent…what you don’t measure’: Ohio fight against infant mortality gets $3M boost

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Concerning new data show Ohio is among the top states with a higher-than-average infant and maternal mortality rate. Last week, the CDC awarded the state approximately $3 million to find out how to prevent these deaths.

The money, spread out over five annual installments, will be given to organizations that research these deaths and make suggestions for improvements.

The funding comes as part of a new $118.5 million federal investment that the CDC said will provide tangible solutions to addressing preventable deaths by strengthening their most recent data.

“You can’t prevent — or you can’t treat — what you don’t measure,” said Shanna Cox, associate director for Science, Division of Reproductive Health for the CDC.

The CDC said the new data collected will represent research from 46 states and six U.S. territories. The agency found that almost half of all pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. happen one week to one year after pregnancy, with 80 percent of those deaths preventable.

According to the Commonwealth Fund, Ohio is higher than the national average for maternal deaths and infant mortality.

The CDC said it wants states to focus on their own unique approaches.

“It is really important for states to look at their data, identify those recommendations in their local context, because states know their local context best,” said Cox.

The most recent data suggest mental health, cardiovascular conditions and infection are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S.

“We really do see that this work not only will prevent pregnancy related deaths, but improve maternal health for our nation,” said Cox.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.