Council President Ginther Helps Launch Ohio Equity Institute
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 24, 2013
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John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
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Council President Ginther Helps Launch Ohio Equity Institute
Columbus City Council President
Andrew J. Ginther welcomed
health care professionals from around the state to Columbus to begin a
three-year effort to decrease the staggering number of infant deaths in
Ohio. The Ohio Equity Institute is a
partnership that will work to help all babies reach their first birthday.
“Infant mortality is an issue that impacts all of us,” said
President Ginther. “Just a few blocks
from where I am standing right now are some of the highest infant mortality
rates in America. With all of the health
care resources we have in this community, these deaths are unacceptable. We can do better, and we must do better.”
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Ohio
ranks 47th overall in the country for infant mortality rates, and rates in some
parts of Ohio are comparable to those of a developing country. More than 1,000 Ohio infants die before their
first birthday every year, and African American babies die at twice the rate of
white babies.
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