Data Sources:

• Ohio Department of Health, Data Warehouse
• Ohio Department of Health, Statistical Analysis Unit, Center for Public Health Data and Statistics

Definitions:

• Birth rate: Total births per 1,000 population
• Low birth weight birth: Live birth of an infant less than 2500 grams (5.5 pounds)
• Infant mortality: The death of a live born infant under 1 year of age

Explanations and Caveats:

• Low birth weight is associated with many health problems in infants, including mental retardation and cerebral palsy, as well as being a major predictor for infant mortality. The Ohio and United States low birth weight rates have been steadily rising over the last 15 years, and Ohio has been above the national average for several years.

Update Status:
August 2011