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Panel addresses growing racial disparities in infant mortality rates in Franklin County

A group of panelists gathered in Linden to address the disparities in infant mortality rates in Franklin County and how they can work to stop the trend.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Last year, Franklin County saw the highest racial disparity among infant deaths in recent years. According to data from Franklin County, this year is already on track to pass that number. 

This is why a group of panelists from the community joined together for a discussion Tuesday night to address the issue, and how to keep working to reduce the growing infant mortality rate.

The group of panelists included Erica Crawley, a Franklin County Commissioner, Danielle Tong, executive director of Celebrate One, Kadijah Torian, a certified birth doula and owner of Pure Heart Doula, and Jatu Boikai, a maternity nurse at Mount Carmel.

The discussion started by reviewing some of the data as it relates to infant deaths among race over the past several years.

"I had goosebumps, I was shaking, I got really emotional,” Boikai said.

Last year, while one-third of babies born in Franklin County were Black, more than half of the infant deaths in the county were Black.

"You think about each number, you think about each family, you think about the loss,” Boikai said.

Dr. Nate Overmire, Franklin County Coroner and an osteopathic family physician, moderated the panel. He said they see three times more Black babies that die under the age of one than white babies.

The data sparked an important conversation to influence change.

"We know where the data is, how do we get more community members engaged and involved to solve this issue?” Dr. Overmire said.

The conversation began with each panelist sharing their personal stories as mothers of their childbirth complications. They each stressed the importance of finding a healthcare provider who understands the pregnancy risks Black women face.

"Finding a provider that understands you, that is going to be there for you, that is going to advocate for you, that's going to listen to you, hear you, see you, understand you, that is so important,” Boikai said.

The panel also addressed the racism that exists within the healthcare system, saying its time to stop skirting around the issue.

"Don't be ashamed to talk about racism within healthcare, because it is a thing,” Boikai said.

Despite the technological advances being made in healthcare everyday, Boikai said not enough is being done to address the issue of disparity.

"With all of those technological advances and innovations, why are people still dying and why are the numbers going up instead of going down?" Boikai said.

Each sector of the community is working to take a closer look at how this data can be used to stop this downward trend from continuing.

"We're using the data that we collect in the coroner's office to say ok, this zip code is really struggling with infant mortality, so how do we get more resources to that particular zip code, that particular community that's dealing with this issue,” Overmire said.

The meeting ended with a call to action for the community to be vocal about legislation relating to pregnant women and who they elect to office.

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