Infant mortality in Northeast Ohio continues at higher level than national average

Sound of Ideas · Aug 18, 2026 · 52m

Infant mortality in Northeast Ohio continues at higher level than national average

Infant mortality refers to the death of an infant before they reach their first birthday. In Northeast Ohio, physicians and families have witnessed a constant rate of infant mortality over double the national average. There are many barriers that contribute to this issue including access to care, education and economic stressors.

In 2024, the infant mortality rate for Black babies in Summit County was 19.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This was over triple the rate for the total population nationally that same…