How Cincinnati Tackled Its Infant Mortality Crisis (A Blueprint for Solving Wicked Problems) (132H)

In this session, Jill Haubner Miller and Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith will share insights from their upcoming book Infant Mortality and Other Wicked Problems: A Community-Driven Approach to Creating Change. It tells the story of how Cincinnati's healthcare providers, community organizations and residents partnered to create a radically nontraditional, patient-centered, scalable model of care that finally moved the needle on its (tragic and persistent) wicked problem. In 2011, despite its rich culture, top-notch schools, and nationally ranked healthcare systems, Cincinnati had one of the worst infant mortality rates in the country. More specifically, Cincinnati's Avondale neighborhood had an infant mortality rate more than triple the national average. For every 1,000 live births, 18.9 babies were dying in their first year. A new model of care was designed with the Avondale community, and by 2022, Avondale's infant mortality rate was 5.4 per 1,000 live births. Through spread and scale, today more than 220 children are alive due to Cincinnati's efforts to reduce infant mortality.

The presenters will provide a practical "blueprint" for systems change that every community can use to define and address their own wicked problem. Topics discussed may include: using data to identify areas of opportunity and drive continuous improvement; identifying stakeholders and unifying them around a "North Star" goal; challenging assumptions, uncovering inequities and identifying silos; engaging and empowering the community at every stage; designing a systems change model that gets to the root of your wicked problem (rather than merely treating its symptoms); remaining adaptable as your model evolves and expands; and attracting trust-based funders as well as state and federal dollars.