2023 Child Fatality Report Executive Summary

2023 Child Fatality Report Executive Summary

Cuyahoga County reported 190 child deaths, slightly below the 10-year average but still higher than state and national rates. Infant mortality remains a major concern with racial disparities—Black infants die at rates over three times higher than White infants. Leading causes include prematurity, unsafe sleep environments, and homicide among older children. The report calls for prevention through education, safe sleep practices, prenatal care, and stronger interagency collaboration.

Key Points

• 190 child deaths; mortality rate 75.9 per 100,000.
• 112 infant deaths; IMR = 8.8 per 1,000 births.
• Prematurity: 65% of infant deaths.
• Sleep-related deaths: 17 cases; highly preventable.
• Homicide: 34 deaths; leading cause for ages 1–17.
• Recommendations: Interagency, Prematurity, sleep-related deaths, medically originated death, unintentional injuries, homicide.