At JFS, we work hard to spread the word about the safest way for babies to sleep – alone, on their backs and with nothing in their crib or playpen. But we also want to help bring attention to infant mortality and the other reasons, besides unsafe sleep, that babies don’t make it to their first birthdays.
Hamilton County’s infant mortality rate in 2020 marked a record low – 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to data from our partner, Cradle Cincinnati. Seventy-six babies died in Hamilton County last year, down 18 percent from 2015-2019. Fewer Black babies died in 2020 than any year before – 10.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.
While all this is good news, we can’t lose focus. Deaths from unsafe sleep hit their highest number in a decade with 21 deaths last year.
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month across the country. Throughout the month you’ll find information on our social media channels about this important issue and how you can help.
Find more data at CradleCincinnati.org.
