Addressing an issue as large and urgent as Ohio’s high infant-mortality rate calls for all hands on deck, from the local to the federal level.

A bill being pushed by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, would add another arrow to the quiver by standardizing federal reporting requirements for infant and childhood deaths.

Reliable information is needed in order to effectively address a problem. Only when data is collected and presented consistently will resources be directed where they are most needed.

Ohio qualifies as one place most in need of help to combat infant mortality. The state ranks worst in the nation for infant mortality among African Americans, and 48th overall. Columbus ranks 36th among the 50 largest cities in the country for overall infant mortality. Columbus’ rate is more than twice that of New York City.

These statistics are starkly at odds with the city most Columbus residents know, a community rich with nationally ranked hospitals and health resources. The Greater Columbus Infant Mortality Task Force was established late last year by City Council President Andrew J. Ginther to address the issue. In June, the group issued an ambitious slate of recommendations. To see the group’s full report, go to http://gcinfantmortality.org.

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