The Nation : Concern on Infant Deaths

Federal authorities are concerned about a continuing slowdown in the nation’s efforts to improve the infant mortality rate, a new federal study reported. The slowdown threatens to stabilize the U.S. mortality rate above the goal of nine deaths per 1,000 births that has already been bettered by Japan and six nations in Europe. In 1982 and again in 1983 the mortality rate, at slightly less than 11 deaths for each 1,000 live births, did not drop as fast as in years past, the New York Times reported. Dr. Edward N. Brandt Jr., as assistant secretary of health and human services in December, described the trend as “disquieting” and “worrisome.”