Infant mortality rate

Infant mortality rate

COLUMBUS

Ohio’s infant mortality rate is showing signs of improvement, according to 2014 data issued by the Ohio Department of Health, which indicates a decline in the overall infant mortality rate from 7.4 percent in 2013 to 6.8 percent in 2014.

While data continues to trend in a positive direction overall, Ohio’s infant mortality rate, especially the black-infant mortality rate, remains too high, said ODH Director Rick Hodges.

The number of infant deaths in Ohio declined nearly 6.7 percent from 1,024 in 2013 to 955 in 2014, marking the first time since deaths were registered in Ohio, beginning in 1939, that the state had fewer than 1,000 infant deaths in a year. The three leading causes of infant deaths in Ohio are prematurity (pre-term births), sleep-related deaths and birth defects.

“While we are encouraged by the trends, there is much work to do, especially when it comes to African-American infants who die at more than twice the rate of white infants. Given the importance of this issue, we sped up the process of collecting and analyzing data to provide the annual infant mortality report several months earlier than in past years in order to help our many partners who are on the front lines in the fight to save babies’ lives,” Hodges said.

Vaccination advice

YOUNGSTOWN

As travel and social events increase during the holidays, giving the flu virus more opportunities to spread, ValleyCare Health System of Ohio encourages residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from the flu. While the number of local flu cases is currently low, these numbers generally increase at this time of year.

“It is crucial for everyone over six months of age to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Supreet Kaur Dhaliwal, medical director at ValleyCare Urgent Care Austintown.

The flu shot is not guaranteed to prevent the flu, but it minimizes chances of contracting the virus ... and will help minimize the symptoms. It is especially important for young children, adults over 65, and individuals who have a high risk of developing serious complications to get vaccinated, Dr. Dhaliwal said.

Besides receiving the flu vaccine, there are some healthy habits that can help prevent people from getting sick, including washing hands frequently throughout the day, keeping hands away from the face and staying away from sick individuals, he said.

About concussions

VIENNA, Va.

The Brain Injury Association of America applauded a recent announcement from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee that it believes will launch a broad investigation into concussions.

The announcement came just days before the release of the Sony Pictures’ film “Concussion,” starring Will Smith as forensic pathologist Bennett Omalu, who first identified the condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 2002 in the brains of former professional football players.

The film has brought concussion into the national conversation, but a recent Harris Poll revealed that a majority of people in the U.S. do not understand the injury. Of those surveyed, 87 percent did not know what a concussion is, and 68 percent did not know that a person can sustain a concussion without receiving a blow to the head. Fewer than 50 percent knew all the signs and symptoms of a concussion.

To help people better understand concussions, BIAA has authored “Brain Injury: Dispelling Myths and Misunderstandings about Concussion,” a brochure that discusses signs and symptoms of concussion, when to seek medical attention, how to aid and speed recovery, long-term effects, research and prevention. For information, visit BIAA’s website at www.biausa.org.