Data Graphics

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new data brief titled “Mental Health Conditions among Ohio Children and Youth.”

In recent years, rates of mental health conditions have increased among Ohio children and youth. As illustrated above, in 2023, a fifth (20%) of middle school students and a third (33%) of high school students in Ohio reported that their mental health was not good most or all of the time.

Childhood mental health conditions are associated with an increased risk of chronic physical health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), continuing mental health problems and worse employment outcomes in adulthood.

The brief states, "Understanding this data, and engaging children, youth and their parents and caregivers, can lay the foundation for action and policy change."

The data brief is the first in a series of four planned HPIO publications on child and youth mental health that will be released over the next two years.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and data from the AARP shows that in 2021 there were more than 1.4 million family caregivers in Ohio, the eighth most of any state in the country, as illustrated above.

In a report released last year, the AARP calculated the value of family caregivers in each state based on an average of 18 hours of care per week at an average value of $16.59 per hour. Using that formula, AARP estimates that the economic value of family caregivers in Ohio is more than $21 billion a year.

“Recognizing and supporting family caregivers is crucial to the health and economic and social well-being of both the caregivers themselves and the people who receive their care,” the report stated. “Family caregivers provide needed day-to-day supports and services and manage complex care tasks for adults with chronic, disabling, or serious health conditions.”

Data included in the latest edition of America’s Health Rankings shows that Ohio is one of the top 10 states in the U.S. for percentage of residents served by water systems that have fluoridated water. Fluoride is added to water as a proven public health measure to prevent tooth loss and decay and reduce cavities. It is also a naturally occurring mineral present in the Earth’s crust, and can be found in soil, water and many food products.

According to 2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 92.7% of Ohioans had access to fluoridated drinking water, compared to 72.7% in the U.S. overall. Ohio’s high percentage of residents served by fluoridated water is highlighted as one of the state’s strengths in 2023-2027 State Oral Health Plan.

Although Ohio ranks high for community water fluoridation, the state still faces challenges with overall oral health. In the 2024 Health Value Dashboard, Ohio ranked 39th for poor oral health, illustrating that water fluoridation is an important tool to improve oral health, but is not sufficient to address the challenges facing the state. The State Oral Health Plan lays out ways that state leaders can address barriers to oral health for Ohioans.

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s recently released policy brief “Protecting against the harms of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)” found that while adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be traumatic, the harms associated with them are not inevitable.

One potential protective factor against ACEs is supportive relationships outside of the family, such as neighbors, mentors and peers. However, in 2021, only half of Ohio high school students reported that they felt they were able to talk to a friend about their feelings.

As illustrated above, students with four or more ACEs were less likely to report having a trusted adult or friend to talk to compared to students with no ACEs. Research has shown similar results elsewhere, demonstrating that children with the greatest risk of ACEs often have the least access to mitigating factors.

Since 2020, HPIO has analyzed ACEs and what Ohio can do to address them. Informed by a  multi-sector advisory group, HPIO’s  Ohio ACEs Impact Project  includes a series of policy briefs and an  online resource page  to build on and amplify current efforts to address ACEs in Ohio.

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new fact sheet titled “Uplifting Community Voices: Employment and maternal and child health.”

The factsheet highlights employment policies that support maternal and infant health, using the city of Cincinnati as a case study. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) interviewed two city of Cincinnati leaders, Latisha Hazell, Human Resources Director, and Laura Castillo, Director of the Department of Economic Inclusion.

Policies outlined in the brief are important because they empower individuals and parents, enhance job opportunities and have been demonstrated to improve birth outcomes.

As illustrated above, wage gaps between races and genders vary by occupation and factors such as discrimination, racism, type of job, education and work experience.

By implementing a living wage initiative and an updated parental leave policy, Cincinnati has championed evidence-based practices designed to increase equity and foster a supportive work environment for city employees and contractors.

“Employment can support health and reduce infant mortality when it provides access to a living wage, resources and benefits such as health insurance and paid leave,” the report states. “On the other hand, research indicates that unemployment during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weights and higher infant mortality rates. Working parents are essential contributors to Ohio’s economy. When their jobs support their ability to provide stable housing, high-quality child care and healthy food to their families, all Ohioans benefit.”

Recent analysis from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio found that there are stark differences in financial insecurity across Ohio. As illustrated above, for example, Ohioans living in Appalachia were more likely to live below the federal poverty level than Ohioans in other parts of the state.

The analysis was included in HPIO’s recently released policy brief, Creating a Financially Prosperous Ohio: Strategies to Improve Family Financial Security.

The brief highlighted data connecting financial insecurity to a variety of negative health outcomes across generations, including exposure to adverse childhood experiences (potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood). This can negatively affect children’s long-term mental, physical and financial health.

Still, Ohioans are resilient, and Ohio leaders can create environments and opportunities that allow every family to thrive.The HPIO brief includes strategies for how public and private partners can support financial prosperity and prevent childhood adversity.