Grant to study area’s infant mortality

12/26/2013
BLADE STAFF

A nonprofit organization established by the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department has been awarded a $15,000 grant to study infant mortality issues in the local community.

The Fund for Public Health in Lucas County received the grant from the Dayton-based CareSource Foundation.

According to Toledo health department officials, Ohio ranks 38th nationally in white infant mortality and 49th in black infant mortality.

The grant money will be used to identify gaps in services and to implement new approaches to tackle the issues of equity in birth outcomes and racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality over a three-year period.

Local officials will also participate in training programs that will focus on improving birth outcomes in vulnerable populations.

The CareSource Foundation funds nonprofits that advance the health of underserved people. In addition to the Toledo health department grant the agency awarded more than $52,000 to several Toledo area nonprofits: Aurora Project, Cherry Street Mission, the Daughter Project, Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, the YWCA of Northwest Ohio, and Specialized Alternative for Families and Youth.