'Disturbing Trend' In Hispanic Infant Mortality Rate In Cuyahoga County

First Year Cleveland, a group working to reduce infant mortality in Cuyahoga County, reports preliminary data for 2018 shows the rate of black infants dying before their first birthday is at its lowest in five years, and white infant mortality is the second lowest Cuyahoga County has seen in the same time period.

However, the Hispanic infant mortality rate dramatically increased to the highest rate the county has experienced in those same five years, according to Richard Stacklin of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

"The disturbing trend we’ve seen in the last couple years is in the Hispanic population," said Stacklin. "If we think about historical situations that are occurring recently and acute stress in the Hispanic population, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in infant mortality."

First Year Cleveland’s Jan. 23 meeting also covered its work on safe sleeping practices to reduce the infant mortality rate.