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Infant Mortality Rate Data

The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the most sensitive index of a community’s health. If you could only have one number to understand issues of health status, health services availability and utilization and the general health and welfare for a neighborhood, city, county, state or nation, the IMR would be the number.

In Franklin County, the IMR exceeds national goals. Only six times in the last twelve years, has even the white rate met the Year 2000 National Objectives for the nation – 7 deaths per 1000 live births. The year 2010 Goal is 4.5 deaths per 1000 live births. In addition, the disparity between black and white is greater than two fold.

The data presented below was further analyzed through the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from 1999-2001. PRAMS is an on-going population survey of maternal experiences and behaviors before and during a woman's pregnancy and during her child's early infancy. PRAMS is conducted by the Ohio Department of Health in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Click here to view the PRAMS executive summary for more information and further analysis to improve the health of mothers and infants, and to monitor changes in maternal and child health indicators over time.

Franklin County Infant Mortality Rate

by Race of Mother

1990 –2002

Year	Black	White	Total
1990	16.4	9.4	10.8
1991	15.5	7.6	9.3
1992	15.7	8	9.4
1993	15.9	7.4	9
1994	14.5	7	8.6
1995	15.8	8.4	10.2
1996	18.5	7.8	10.2
1997	14.8	7	8.5
1998	15.9	6.6	8.7
1999	19.3	7.1	9.6
2000	13.4	6.7	8.1
2001	13.2	6.3	7.8
2002	16.4	6.3	8.8

*Infant Mortality Rate – deaths per 1000 live births.

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In addition to the above infant mortality data, the following data and information are used to identify community risk issues. Access to first trimester prenatal care continues to be a challenge in Franklin County, especially for un- and underinsured women. Part of the challenge could be the increase in the number of births in Franklin County. In addition, there are greater increases in populations who have additional challenges in affording and accessing available services. Following are some data on birth trends in Franklin County.

Franklin County Births by Race/Ethnicity 2000-2002

Population	2000	2001	2002
All	17,470	17,127	17,013
White mothers	12,541	12,134	11,809
Black mothers	4,114	4,237	4,325
*A/PI mothers**	760	718	837
Native Am. Mothers	55	38	42
Hispanic mothers	594	772	942

* Asian/Pacific Islander

The most dramatic growth has been for births to Hispanic mothers. In 1990, there were 148 births, by the year 2002 there were 942, an increase of over 537%. The increase of Hispanic families in greater Columbus has had an immense impact on service providers. Impacts include an increase in the demand for services by families not covered by Medicaid and requiring interpreter services. The need for services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) clients means increased costs for providers and longer appointment slots for services. Both of these factors affect capacity for services.

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One of the best predictors of an infant death is low birth weight- LBW (weight less than 2500 Grams or 5 pounds and 8 ounces) and pre-term birth (birth prior to 37 weeks gestation). Babies born at very low birth weight (VLBW) – less than 1500 Grams or extremely premature – less than 32 weeks gestation are at greatest risk of infant death.

Franklin County Low Birth Weight Percentages* by Race/Ethnicity 2000-2002

Population	2000	2001	2002
LBW – All	8.6%	8.2%	8.9%
LBW – White	7.3%	7.0%	7.2%
LBW – Black	12.4%	12.1%	13.7%
LBW – Hispanic	6.4%	7.0%	7.1%

* As a percentage of live births

Franklin County Premature Birth Percentages* by Race/Ethnicity 2000-2002

Population	2000	2001	2002
Pre-term All	11.6%	11.2%	11.6%
Pre-term White	10.4%	10.2%	10.3%
Pre-term Black	15.4%	14.4%	15.7%
Pre-term Hispanic	11.4%	9.2%	11.5%

* As a percentage of live births

While infant mortality rates (IMR) for all populations have been slowly decreasing, the rates for LBW and Prematurity are not budging. In addition, disparities in outcomes persist for African American women in terms both of mortality and morbidity outcomes. Analytic work conducted by the Columbus Health Department through the Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR) methodology identifies that addressing women’s health during and PRIOR to pregnancy, would help reduce risk factors related to pre-term and low birth weight births. Addressing issues such as tobacco or alcohol use, weight management, nutrition, stress reduction and inter-pregnancy intervals will improve a woman’s health, and if she starts a pregnancy healthier, it will positively affect the outcome of the pregnancy.

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Assuring access to prenatal care (PNC) is a major initiative of the Council. Following are some data reporting first trimester access to PNC.

Franklin County Percentage* of Women Entering Care by Race/Ethnicity 2000-2002

Population	2000	2001	2002
All	87.6%	87.6%	88.0%
White	90.2%	90.5%	90.9%
Black	78.8%	78.1%	78.8%
Hispanic	73.0%	76.2%	80.5%

*As a percentage of live births

While the overall trend is creeping upward, racial/ethnic disparities persist. Uninsured and underinsured women have fewer options for PNC. Our work through Pregnancy Care Connection (PCC) has identified that women without insurance have fewer options this year than last year. Our community has seen a decrease in available appointments for PNC for uninsured women. This will likely affect these data in the future – in a negative way.

**Data from the Ohio Department of Health, Informational Warehouse, 2005

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Mission :

The mission of the Council is to provide leadership to assist and mobilize the community towards the delivery and growth of healthy babies through education, facilitation of partnership and dissemination of information that embodies a multi-cultural perspective.

Vision :

The Council is a nationally recognized advocacy organization that inspires community commitment, collaboration and mobilization towards healthy babies from a multi-cultural perspective.