The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) saw a need to reduce infant mortality rates across the state. ODH partnered with the InnovateOhio Platform (IOP) to expand and enhance predictive profiling models that leveraged cross-agency data to determine those most at risk for infant mortality and design targeted interventions based on the data. The project involved the Department of Health (ODH), Department of Medicaid, Department of Job and Family Services, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
The Infant Mortality Phase 1 study identified that more than 22,000 low-income mothers enrolled in Medicaid were not cross-enrolled in WIC or SNAP benefits, which are proven to reduce the risk of infant mortality for enrollees. This study provided new insights about some of the most vulnerable residents (at-risk mothers and children) in Ohio. By leveraging the InnovateOhio Platform, ODH, in partnership with departments of job and family services, mental health and addiction services, and Medicaid, the platform securely links more than 30 data sets to form a 360-view of the clients that allowed the state to (1) determine indicators that are significantly tied to infant mortality – leading indicators of positive and negative outcomes; (2) create models to predict characteristics of mothers most likely to benefit from interventions; and (3) explore which state programs for mothers are most effective.
Ohio continues to help mothers and children, as well as continue to engage communities through the WIC, TANF, and SNAP programs. A study using data from the IOP found 280,000 Ohioans currently enrolled in Medicaid and SNAP/TANF who may also be eligible to receive WIC benefits. This insight is supporting the state’s efforts to boost cross-enrollment processes across agencies. Through the analysis, visualization, and capabilities of the IOP, the state is able to understand the current challenges and inform evidence-based and data-driven decisions.