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Infant Mortality: Disadvantaged

Answer

The infant mortality aspect of the national health inequalities public service agreement target is starting with children under one year, by 2010 to reduce by at least 10 per cent. the gap in mortality between the routine and manual group and the population as a whole.Infant mortality rates have fallen since the 1997-99 target baseline, including for the routine and manual group, while the infant mortality gap has widened.The most recent assessment of this aspect of the target shows a further slight narrowing in the gap between the routine and manual group and the whole population. The gap has fallen to 16 per cent. in 2005-07, compared with 19 per cent. higher in 2002-04. This compares with 13 per cent. higher than at baseline. The target is still challenging, but if the gap continues to narrow at the rate observed since 2002-04, the infant mortality aspect of the target will be met.The 'Review of the Health Inequalities Infant Mortality PSA target'—together with the 'Implementation Plan for Reducing Health Inequalities in Infant Mortality'—was published by the Department of Health in 2007. The review identified the actions, interventions and 43 local authority areas most likely to help deliver the target. The recently established infant mortality national support team will provide tailored support to the 43 areas to address the target.Copies of the documents have been placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

487 c403-4W; 250170

Session

2008-09

Related items

Deposited Paper DEP2009-0243
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Deposited papers
House of Commons

Subjects

Disadvantaged Infant mortality

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk