Fall in infant mortality rate
Updated on 04 December 2008
The infant mortality rate fell slightly last year, according to official figures published.
Data from the Department of Health showed that 9,846 children died during their first year of life in England and Wales in 2005-7, giving an annual rate of 4.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
This represents a small decrease on the rate in 2004-6, which was five deaths per 1,000 live births.
The rate was higher among families employed in manual and unskilled occupations, at 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births - 16% higher than for the general population.
The Department of Health welcomed the fall in the gap, a spokesman said.
"Meeting the infant mortality health inequalities target is still challenging, but if the gap continues to narrow at the rate observed since 2002-04, the target will be met," he said.
"Alan Johnson has asked Sir Michael Marmot to lead a bold review of health inequalities for the years 2010 and beyond, leading to a long term sustainable reduction in health inequalities."
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