Ohio Equity Institute
About the Initiative
Columbus is partnering with 8 other Ohio communities and the Ohio Department of Health to focus
on improving birth outcomes and reducing racial disparities in infant mortality. The Ohio Equity
Institute is an initiative designed by a national organization, CityMatCH. CityMatCH supports urban
Maternal and Child Health efforts at the local level.
The Equity Institute is a data-driven, evidence-based, and highly visible movement. During a span
of three years, these 9 communities in Ohio will receive training and support in implementing and
evaluating equity-focused projects. In Columbus, this 3 year project is sponsored by Columbus Public
Health, the lead agency for the local initiative.
The 9 communities include: Butler County, Canton-Stark County, Lucas County/Toledo, Cincinnati,
Mahoning County/Youngstown, Columbus, Montgomery County/Dayton, Cuyahoga County/Cleveland,
and Summit County.
Neighborhoods Affected
Columbus Public Health will focus efforts on the South Side of Columbus within zip codes 43206 and
43207. These two zip codes are among the highest infant mortality rates in the country.
The Plan
Team Training: Experts in public health, epidemiology, birth outcomes, health inequities, evaluation,
and community stakeholders will complete the Equity Institute Curriculum and consider, design, and
implement an equity project. The Equity Institute Curriculum has 5 major topics, including:
• Epidemiology of birth outcomes and racial disparities
• Evidence-based interventions for vulnerable populations
• Racism and inequities in birth outcomes
• Leadership
• Evaluation
Project Development: Ohio Equity Institute teams will work together to assess local capacity, examine
local data, design and implement a project, and demonstrate the evidence base for local interventions
that reduce inequities in birth outcomes.
Sharing Summit: Through face-to-face equity institute trainings, monthly calls and webinars, online
curriculum, mentoring relationships with experts, and topical technical assistance, Ohio Equity Institute
teams will arrive at a final summit to share their processes and results.
Other Work in the Areas of Health Equity and Infant Mortality
Contact us at 614-645-6425 or [email protected]
for more details.