Fewer infants died in Richmond last year than the previous year, and city health officials credit a comprehensive effort involving multiple city agencies and community partners. The infant-mortality rate was 10.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2008, a decline from a rate of 12.4 deaths per 1,000 in 2007. In actual numbers, there were 36 infant deaths in 2008, compared with 41 in 2007.

Infant-mortality rates per
1,000 live births, 2008; 2007
  Richmond: 10.9; 12.4
  Henrico: 10.3; 5.6
  Chesterfield: 7.0; 6.4
  Virginia: 6.7; 7.7

Fewer infants died in Richmond last year, and city health officials credit a comprehensive effort involving multiple city agencies and community partners.

Virginia’s infant-mortality rate dropped markedly last year—an indication, state officials said, that education and increased access to prenatal care for pregnant women is improving the health of their babies. In 2008, there were 6.7 deaths of children under 1 year old for every 1,000 live births in the state, down from 7.7 deaths for every 1,000 live births in 2007—the highest rate during the past five years.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia’s infant mortality rate has dipped to its lowest level ever. Kaine highlighted a dramatic decrease from 7.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2007 to 6.7 deaths per 1,000 in 2008. That represents an overall decrease of approximately 12 percent. There was also a drop in the number of infant deaths among African Americans, which account for the highest mortality rate. In 2007, there were 15.5 deaths per 1,000 births; Last year there were 12.2 deaths per 1,000.

The governor has set a target of reducing the state’s infant mortality rate to below 7 percent by 2010.

Richmond officials this week are starting a campaign urging pregnant women not to smoke. Cigarette smoking in pregnancy is linked with early labor and low-birthweight babies. Both are risk factors for newborns not making it to their first birthday.