FIMR Background
Infant mortality—or the
death of a baby before his/her first birthday— is a critical indicator of community
health.
While recent data shows national infant mortality rates decreasing, in
2010 Ohio’s rate ranked 4th worst in the nation. On average, about
150 Franklin County infants die every year, with Black babies dying at twice
the rate of White babies.[1] This translates to an infant mortality rate (IMR) of 8.3 deaths per 1,000 live
births, a rate which is significantly higher than the Healthy People 2020 goal
of 6.0.[2].
Fetal death is defined as the death of a fetus including stillbirths and
miscarriages. On average, Franklin County has 118 fetal deaths reported
annually; these deaths are not included in the county’s IMR but are another
significant indicator of community well-being.
CPH
established the Franklin County Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program (FIMR) in January, 2014. CPH patterned its FIMR program on a nationally-recognized FIMR model[3]
established by the National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (NFIMR) Program. This is a collaborative effort between the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(ACOG) and HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).
This model calls for
the review of fetal and infant deaths under a unified process, allowing for a
more comprehensive assessment of and strategic planning for infant mortality
reduction in a community.
Local Infant Mortality Data
Summary reports track preterm births, low birth weight births and sleep related infant deaths.
[1]
Columbus Public Health, Infant Mortality Reports.
(April 2014).
[2]
United States Department of Health and Human
Services, Healthy People 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
[3]
National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program.
(2008). Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Manual: A Guide for Communities (2nd
ed.) Washington, DC.