The 2017 annual child fatality review report was released today by the Allen County Board of Health. 

The Child Fatality Review (CFR) Reports include the causes of death, age, sex, race, location and other pertinent information about the deaths.

Executive summary attachment at bottom of this story -

The CFR Board’s recommendations resulting from the reviewed deaths are also included in the reports. Generation of the annual reports allows for the recognition of potential trends that may be occurring.

The purpose of Child Fatality Review is to prevent child deaths by examining deaths in the aggregate, noting trends and making policy recommendations to prevent future deaths.

Key findings in the report include the following: 
• 66% (10 out of 15) of the child deaths occurred in the first year of life;
the percentage of child deaths in 2017 were African-American was 20%, while African-Americans make up just 12.6% of the Allen County population –
• 60% of the child deaths were white, while 20% identified as other; and
• 73% of the child deaths were male.
• Of the 15 child deaths that occurred in 2017, 8 were considered “probably not preventable,” with 4 considered “probably preventable.”

Ohio law mandates CFR Boards in all Ohio Counties or regions review the deaths of all children under 18.

The Allen County Child Fatality Review (CFR) Board is convened by Allen County Public Health, and includes representatives from Allen County Children Services, Allen County Coroner, Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Allen County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, Allen County Prosecutor, Allen County Public Health, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Family Resource Center, Allen County Help Me Grow, SAFY, Lima Police Department, and local physicians from the community.

Copies of these annual reports are available on the Allen County Public Health website at allencountyhealthpublichealth.org, and the Executive Summary of the report is attached to this press release.