COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2024 March of Dimes Report Card, released today, highlights Ohio’s ongoing struggles with preterm birth rates and health disparities in maternal and infant care. With a preterm birth rate of 10.7% across the state and a notably higher rate of 14.8% in Cleveland, Ohio has earned a D+ rating in maternal and infant health. The report underscores pressing issues in prenatal care, chronic health conditions, and environmental risks affecting expectant mothers.
Dr. Amanda P. Williams, Interim Chief Medical Officer at March of Dimes, emphasized the need for equity-focused approaches to maternal health. “To save lives and support healthy pregnancies, it’s critical that we improve outcomes and eliminate health disparities across our country,” Williams said. The report stresses that solutions should include public health initiatives, policy reforms, and community programs to support mothers and babies at every stage of pregnancy.
The report finds that maternal health challenges are compounded by chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which pose significant risks. From 2022 to 2023, pre-pregnancy hypertension rose by over 10% nationwide, affecting more than 3% of live births. In Ohio, the lack of adequate prenatal care remains a major concern, with 14.7% of pregnant individuals not receiving sufficient care. Data show that individuals without proper prenatal care face nearly 9% higher preterm birth rates, underscoring the critical need for accessible early support.
Cindy Rahman, March of Dimes Interim President and CEO, echoed the urgency, stressing the importance of policy advocacy. “Every baby deserves the chance for a healthy start, yet the data continue to show unacceptable health outcomes for far too many families,” Rahman said, advocating for expanded Medicaid, awareness campaigns, and equitable healthcare access initiatives.
The report also highlights environmental factors such as extreme heat and air pollution, which increase risks for preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and preeclampsia. The report further notes that Ohio’s infant mortality rate, while decreased over the past decade, remains higher than the national average, with 912 infant deaths in 2022, amounting to a 7.1% mortality rate compared to the national 5.6%.
This new report follows the March of Dimes’ recent study, “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US,” which reveals worsening maternity care access nationwide. With over 6 million women living in areas with no or limited maternity services, the organization is urging state and federal legislators to support Medicaid expansion, increase prenatal care access, and implement environmental protections to improve health outcomes.
March of Dimes has also announced plans to expand its Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® in underserved areas, with new centers slated for Houston, Cleveland, Birmingham, and Arizona. For more information on the 2024 Report Card and the organization’s initiatives, visit marchofdimes.org/reportcard.