2025 Year in Review: Hamilton County Maternal & Infant Health Outcomes
Across Hamilton County, we are working toward a shared goal: that every baby lives to celebrate their first birthday. Today, we are sharing where our community stands.
In 2025, infant mortality increased to 9.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. The Black infant mortality rate doubled in just two years — from a historic low of 9.0 in 2023 to 21.0 in 2025, the highest recorded in Hamilton County since at least 2011. These are not just numbers. Each loss represents a life and a future lost, and a family forever changed.
We also know this: fewer babies are dying today than a decade ago. That progress is the result of partners and community members working together, families and friends stepping up, and more moms gaining the support they need earlier and more often. Progress is not a straight line. But by continuing to work together, we can make a healthier Cincinnati for every mom and baby.
2025 At A Glance
*All numbers are based on 2025 provisional data
The loss of an infant reflects systemic inequities, not individual behavior, including factors like housing instability, food insecurity, economic stress and barriers to healthcare. Infant mortality is considered an indicator of a community’s overall health. If we can’t keep our smallest community members healthy and thriving, this signals deeper issues that must be addressed.
Other Key Findings:
The overall number of deaths due to preterm birth increased from 22 in 2023 to 41 in 2025. Locally, extreme preterm birth remains the leading cause of infant death, accounting for nearly half of all infant deaths.
Unsafe sleep conditions caused 15 deaths in 2023 but jumped to 23 deaths in 2025. Of those, 73% involved the baby sleeping next to another person, and 55% involved the infant sleeping in an adult bed.
Learn more in our 2025 Hamilton County Community Snapshot.
Addressing infant mortality requires a community-wide response.Everyone has a role to play, and no action is too small. Whether that’s expanding access to prenatal care, doulas and community health workers; advocating for policies that support families; or simply showing up for the mother in our lives.
These actions build on one another — and together, they’ll get us closer to more first birthdays.
Where Families Can Find Help
Hamilton County is full of organizations ready to help women, infants and families. In order to address infant mortality, we need to connect families with the support they need as soon as possible. Below are a few resources immediately available for families. More resources can be found in our community resource guide.
Queens Village: Queens Village provides a space for Black women of childbearing age to build community and find support through family events, postpartum groups, monthly gatherings, and wellness workshops. https://bit.ly/qvcincyconnect
Pregnancy Pathway Program: Community health workers provide personalized care coordination for expectant mothers through pregnancy and the postpartum period. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCANReferral
Cradle Cincinnati Connections: Team of community health workers helping women and their families navigate and choose services in their community that best meet their immediate needs before, during and after pregnancy.https://bit.ly/cradlecares.
Cribs for Kids: Cribs for Kids provides eligible families with a portable crib, safe sleep materials, and essential education to ensure a secure sleeping environment. 513.564.BABY (2229), option 2.