Akron-area leaders are wise to face issues of infant mortality, children's reading ability

The United Way of Summit and Medina has made an important and justified update to its four “Bold Goals” launched in 2017.

The goals are now linked to longstanding racial disparities in health, education and the economy, United Way President and CEO Jim Mullen explained last month for the organization's 2022 Report to the Community.

Some of the changes are due to the coronavirus pandemic, during which third-graders in Akron Public Schools saw a further decline in reading proficiency. The goals also shifted from the opioid epidemic to infant mortality, as emergency room visits for opioid overdoses have dropped while infant mortality remains high, especially among Summit County’s Black residents.

The statistics for reading proficiency and infant mortality are shocking.

Just 26.6% of APS third graders were proficient last year, the United Way reported. To help boost those scores, the agency says it “will develop and support programs to increase kindergarten readiness, family engagement and K-3 attendance and programs that mitigate summer learning loss among students.”

Reading at this age matters, as one study showed more than one-third of Ohio third-graders not reading proficiently did not graduate on time. Children who were proficient ended up being five times more likely to be ready for college and careers.

To put it plainly, we need to invest in these children now to increase the chance they will grow to be independent and productive.

New chapter: Akron Public Schools sending home books to foster a love of reading

The rate of death among Black infants in Summit County is much higher than it is for infants overall, 15 deaths for every 1,000 babies versus six per 1,000. The United Way proposes fighting this health problem by helping existing agencies coordinate their efforts and making sure there is outreach to clients in need.

Basic issues such as unsafe housing and financial instability would be addressed, as these are believed to be linked to infant mortality. Around Ohio, premature birth is the leading cause of death among infants.

One theme that was clear as the United Way discussed these and other issues is that residents have many hurdles facing them. People face lengthy travel times if they must take the bus; getting help can be difficult and in itself becomes a full-time job.

Meanwhile, worrisome news from the economy pours in. Gas prices again are averaging more than $4 per gallon, electricity bills are headed up this summer and food prices are soaring.

One effect is that 334,000 more people were served by Ohio food pantries this March than two years ago.

In all of these cases, we should understand that people don’t want to be forced into needing a handout. Having a large family or a special diet for medical reasons, as food bank recipients told a reporter, makes it especially hard to afford groceries.

It’s time we stop shaming people who can’t afford the basic necessities of life.

Listening to the people in need is key. What do they need? Why are they having trouble making progress?

We live in a time where some political factions don’t want to listen; an Ohio House bill would ban “divisive concepts” in schools. The existence of white supremacy, for example, wouldn’t be discussed, as it is an “uncomfortable” topic.

Rather than writing such bills, lawmakers should be willing to listen to people living with the effects of racism, such as being denied housing or a job.

We’re fortunate that we live in a community that has a robust group of volunteers and civic leaders who are willing to take on such complex tasks as infant mortality and educational achievement.

We can support them by giving to the United Way, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and other groups battling poverty.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron area needs to raise reading scores, reduce infant deaths