05/21/2026
We appreciate your support & advocacy POEM !
Our beloved advisory board member India Brown did a fantastic job & we are forever grateful for her contribution to this work 💜👑
Last week, POEM Collective Impact Manager India Brown presented on a panel addressing the alarming rise in Black infant mortality in Hamilton County and the urgent need to center mothers in the conversation around infant survival.
As both a maternal health advocate and a mother who has experienced pregnancy loss, India spoke to the reality that too many women face grief, isolation, and inadequate support during and after pregnancy. Her message was clear: supporting babies means supporting moms — emotionally, mentally, physically, and through strong community care systems.
The newly released data shows Black infants in Hamilton County were more than five times as likely to die before their first birthday in 2025, with a dramatic increase in sleep-related deaths among Black babies. These outcomes are unacceptable — and preventable.
POEM continues this work through advocacy, connection, and leadership within the Ohio Perinatal Behavioral Health Task Force, working alongside partners across the state to improve outcomes for Black mothers, babies, and families.
Now is the time to act. We invite healthcare providers, community leaders, policymakers, and neighbors to join us in advancing equitable maternal mental health support and birth outcomes across Ohio.
