Senate Bill (SB) 332 required the Legislative Service Commission (LSC) to contract with a nonprofit organization to issue a report regarding the social determinants of infant mortality, and the LSC contracted with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) to do so. On December 1, HPIO delivered the final report titled A New Approach to Reduce Infant Mortality and Achieve Equity. Developed with guidance from over 100 Ohio stakeholders, the report:
- Describes the many ways that factors beyond medical care affect the health of infants and their families, focusing on housing, transportation, education and employment as required by SB 332
- Assesses the extent to which current housing, transportation, education, and employment policies and programs meet the needs of Ohioans most at risk for infant mortality
- Identifies lessons learned from other states that have successfully reduced overall and black infant mortality rates, including innovative ideas to address the social determinants of health
- Offers specific, actionable. and evidence-informed policy options that state and local policymakers can employ to address unmet needs and inequities
View the full report, a 2-page snapshot, a 16-page executive summary, and additional background information about the project.