Infant and Maternal Health and Mortality

Hamilton County Public Health is part of a county-wide initiative to improve maternal and infant health and to reduce infant mortality— a significant, troubling problem in Hamilton County.  In order to take effective actions to improve the health and safety of infants and children in our community, it is essential to identify, describe and monitor these problems and the populations at risk. Our epidemiologists work to monitor and report the frequency of infant deaths and the associated risk factors such as pre-term birth; visit our reports page to review the most recent monthly reports. The epidemiology division also provides analytical services to support the shared objectives of other agencies.

HCPH also partners with Cradle Cincinnati in an effort to reduce infant mortality in Hamilton County. We strive to prevent prematurity by increasing the amount of time between each woman’s pregnancies to 18 months or longer.  We encourage the reduction or eradication of tobacco use and other substance abuse in pregnancy. And finally, we promote safe sleep for babies. Babies should always sleep Alone, on their Back and in a Crib every time they sleep.

Safe Sleep is Worth it! Sleep-Related Infant Death, Hamilton County, Ohio, 2017-2021

Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)

FIMR is a community-oriented process that reviews the circumstances surrounding a fetal or infant death to improve the health and safety of the community. The purpose of the FIMR process is to identify and take action to prevent a wide range of local social, economic, public health, education, environmental, and safety factors that contribute to the tragedy of fetal and infant loss. Systematic review of individual cases leads teams to make recommendations and to develop and implement innovative local actions that improve systems of care, services, and resources for women, infants, and families.

Have you experienced fetal or infant loss (less than 1 year of age) in the last 2 years?
If you have and live in Hamilton County, get connected to one of our FIMR family interviewers.​

Meet our FIMR team!

Dominique Walker– FIMR Coordinator
Lauren Bostick– FIMR family interviewer
Gayle Foster– FIMR family interviewer
Michele Campbell– Medical Record Abstractor

Community Action Team (CAT): Community leaders representing government, consumers, key institutions, and health & human service organizations serve on the community action team (CAT) which acts to implement recommendations.

Mission Statement: To optimize equitable health outcomes for women, infants, children and families in Cincinnati-Hamilton County through collaboration, education and action

Vision: Healthy Community, Healthy Parent, Healthy Child, Healthy Life

Goals/Key Focus Areas

• Address Fetal & Infant Mortality Review (FIMR), Child Fatality Review (CFR) and other maternal-child health community partners’ recommendations
• Resource sharing, information gathering, and partnership development/collaboration to promote maternal-child health and safety and awareness in the community and avoid duplication of services
• Provide community/program updates, new data, statistics, and trends in the community regarding maternal and child health

Child Fatality Review (CFR)

CFR is the multidisciplinary review of individual child deaths to help communities understand why children die and equip them to effectively prevent future fatalities. Child Fatality Review (CFR) is a prevention-oriented process that reviews the circumstances surrounding the death of a child to improve the health and safety of the community.

Check out our latest report- https://www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2018_Annual_Report.pdf