AKRON, Ohio – Summit County Public Health has been awarded $2.48 million to support programs to reduce infant mortality rates in the Akron area, particularly among African-American families.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Plans awarded the grant for health officials to continue initiatives to eliminate poor birth outcomes and infant deaths in Akron and Summit County for two years beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

“Recent Ohio Department of Health data indicates our state’s overall infant mortality rate has decreased, but the rate for African-American infant mortality continues to rise,” said Maureen Corcoran, director of the Ohio Department of Medicaid. “Ohio Medicaid is the state’s largest insurer for pregnancy and post-partum care, and we know it is out moral duty to collaborate with local stakeholders to close the racial disparity gap.”

The grant will go toward client-centered services including home visits, doulas, legal aid and targeted communication with pregnant women and their families. The goal is to alleviate stress, stabilize resources and educate medical providers, parents and the public.

Infant mortality rates among non-Hispanic, African-American families in Summit County are more than three times that of non-Hispanic white families, according to Summit County Public Health.

In 2017, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan started the Full Term First Birthday program aimed at eliminating sleep-related infant deaths and to address the racial disparity in the African-American infant mortality rate. Full Term First Birthday is an effort involving more than 30 organizations, including the county’s public health agency.

“This grant will allow us to continue to provide evidence-based, innovative care to expecting mothers in our community, especially African-American mothers,” Horrigan said in a statement.

The funding will support 11 agencies: AxessPointe Community Health Centers, Akron Children’s Hospital, Birthing Beautiful Communities, Community Legal Aid, Child Guidance & Family Solutions, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Hope 7/Minority Behavioral Health Group, Project Ujima, Summa Health, Summit County Public Health, and the United Way of Summit County.

“We are pleased to continue the delivery of this service to our community to provide increased maternal health services and address social determinants of health negativity effecting birth outcomes in Summit County,” said Health Commissioner Donna Skoda.

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