Hayley Heideman | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Hayley Heideman
Title: It Takes a Village: Analyzing Factors Influencing Pediatric Vital Signs in Ohio
Major: Mathematics
Minors: Statistical & Data Sciences
Advisors: Colby Long

In my research, I’m focusing on three important indicators of child health: high school graduation, infant mortality, and teen birth rates. These factors, identified by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, are key pediatric vital signs that affect a child’s well-being. Using methods like multi-linear regression, decision trees, random forests, and cluster analysis, I will explore patterns and connections that help explain these outcomes at the county level in Ohio. The research highlights how different factors—such as socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle choices, and access to health services—are all connected and influence child health. Health and lifestyle choices are crucial for their academic success. Further, the availability of mental health services plays a big role in infant mortality rates, suggesting that expanding mental health care could improve outcomes for mothers and children. Additionally, factors like poverty and housing instability are significant contributors to both infant mortality and teen birth rates. Urban and rural counties face different challenges based on their resources, so solutions need to be tailored to each region’s needs. Addressing these issues requires collaboration across communities, with investments in healthcare, education, and economic support to give every child the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.