Health chiefs in bid to cut infant mortality

Political Editor

Wednesday 23 January 2013

HEALTH chiefs will launch a drive to reduce infant mortality as part of a bid to tackle Scotland's widening health inequalities.

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Magnus Gardham Political Editor

Long-term targets to cut infant mortality, stillbirths and low birth weight babies are expected to be set by the Government-backed Early Years Collaborative (EYC).

The body, made up of medics, health planners, social workers, police and charities, is to hold its first major conference in Glasgow this week.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns, who chaired an early years taskforce that developed into the EYC, told MSPs: "We think the Early Years Collaborative will set a significant reduction in infant mortality, bringing us more into line with Scandinavia."The most recent NHS figures published last year showed Scotland's infant mortality rate in 2010 was 3.7 per 1000 births. While this was the lowest Scots figure recorded, and below the rest of the UK, it was still higher than that seen in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, at 2.7. Infant mortality counts babies who die in their first year. Figures in the most recent NHS report showed babies born into the most deprived families were eight times more likely to die before their first birthday than the most affluent.Women in the most deprived group were nearly three times more likely to suffer a stillbirth than those who were most affluent. New figures for 2011 are expected to be published in the next few days.The conference, at the SECC tomorrow and Friday, will be attended by 750 professionals.The Chief Medical Officer told Holyrood's health committee there was no magic bullet to reduce health inequalities but said supporting those aged minus nine months to three would have the biggest impact on their health and life chances.Sir Harry has previously warned that health inequality is the "biggest issue facing Scotland" and getting worse as campaigns to stop smoking and eat healthily have made more impact on middle class families.

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Health chiefs in bid to cut infant mortality

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