Indy Hosts First Infant Mortality Summit

Infant mortality rates in Indiana are among the worst in the country. The state experiences more than seven deaths per every one-thousand babies born, and ranks 45th out of 50 states.

Friday, the state hosted its first summit to address the issue and working on finding solutions.

"It's the number one indicator of health that is used in the world - is infant mortality," said State Health Commissioner Dr. William VanNess.  "I think it is certainly critical and it's one of the things that I'm determined to improve in the state of Indiana."

He says better prenatal care and educating pregnant women about the dangers of smoking are important for lowering the rate.

"Probably half of the deaths that occur in Indiana are related to prenatal occurences and that's pre term delivery - prematurity basically - or low birth weight or very low birth weight or lack of sufficient prenatal care," he said.

Public health experts and community leaders attended the first ever event downtown.

David Lakey, M.D., Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services served as the keynote speaker.

"This is an issue that we can make a profound difference in a reasonable amount of time," he said.  Other states are having success with a concentrated effort on this and in the state of Indiana, they can save babies."

(Photo: Indiana State Department of Health)