The Cincinnati Health Department has been awarded a $340,000 grant to address maternal and infant health issues in the Tri-State area. According to Epidemiologist Joseph White, there is a crisis in maternal and child health across the United States, including in Cincinnati where the infant mortality rate tends to be higher than the national average. Many babies in the region are born into challenging living situations, with a study at UC Health in 2021 revealing that one in five families are food insecure.
Geneva Goode, the COO of the Cincinnati Health Department, highlighted the importance of proper nutrition for women during pregnancy. The funding will be used to expand services for expecting and new mothers, providing education during the prenatal period and support in the postpartum period. They also plan to encourage follow-up visits to ensure both mother and child’s well-being.
White noted that while preliminary data suggests that infant mortality rates in Cincinnati may have improved compared to previous years, they are still lagging behind the national rate. To learn more about prenatal care and services provided by the Cincinnati Health Department, individuals can visit their website. If you come across any spelling or grammar errors in this story, please report them. Additionally, if you have any photos or videos of breaking news stories, you can submit them with a brief description to your local news outlet.