CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Cradle Cincinnati released a report showing Hamilton County’s infant mortality rate has climbed above the national average, a change from 2023 when the county was below the national average.

The organization says the rise in infant deaths is hitting the Black community hardest.

“The rate of Black sleep-related deaths is 18 times higher than white sleep-related deaths,” according to Cradle Cincinnati.

The organization’s report shows out of 22 total infant deaths, 19 were Black infants.

Co-sleeping linked to all 2025 sleep-related deaths

Dr. James Greenberg with Cradle Cincinnati said all sleep-related infant deaths in 2025 involved co-sleeping.

“The data is telling us it’s a problem. All of these deaths in 2025 were co-sleeping deaths. All of them. Something is not right,” Greenberg said.

Executive Director Meredith Smith said the leading causes of infant death are sleep-related deaths and preterm birth.

“Every single time there’s an infant who passes away, our hearts break. These are real kids in the community, part of a family, and it’s very difficult news,” Smith said.

Greenberg said there’s no clear answer for why the racial gap keeps growing.

“This is a problem in the entire county. Everyone needs to care about this issue,” Smith said.

Cradle Cincinnati says it is working to connect parents with resources through partnerships across the county.

“Getting folks postpartum doulas, getting folks mental health support, getting community health workers,” Smith said.

Cradle Cincinnati has resources available through Queens Village, Pregnancy Pathway Program (513-352-3081) and by calling Cribs for Kids (513-564-2229).

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