The number of babies tragically dying before the age of one has reduced in Leeds, according to the latest figures released by the National Centre for Health Outcomes Development (NCHOD).

Data from 2006-08 shows that the rate of deaths per 1000 live births has reduced to 5.2 compared with a rate of 5.9 in 2005-07. This means that Leeds as a city no longer has a significantly higher infant mortality rate than the rest of the country and has a lower rate than the Yorkshire and Humber regional average.*

In Leeds, around 50 babies under one year old die each year. There are significant disparities between the different parts of Leeds, with the infant mortality rate for deprived areas being considerably higher.

Dr Sharon Yellin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Leeds says, “This is an encouraging sign that the numbers of preventable deaths in young babies in the city is starting to decrease. There is a lot of work going on around Leeds to educate people in ways to prevent this tragic loss of life. But we know we still have some way to go to reduce the overall variation in infant mortality rates between different areas of the city.”

To reduce preventable deaths in young babies, NHS Leeds is leading the implementation of the Infant Mortality Action Plan in partnership with Leeds City Council, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and NHS Leeds Community Healthcare.

A key objective of the plan is to reduce the infant mortality gap between families in low paid manual and routine occupational jobs (known as the “routine and manual group”) and the general population. Nationally, figures show that there is a 16% variation in infant mortality between this group and the population as a whole. The national target is to reduce this disparity by at least 10% by 2010.

A lot of work is already being done to reduce infant mortality and improve children’s quality of life in Leeds. This includes initiatives to reduce smoking rates such as Fresh Air Babies, a specialist programme of antenatal and postnatal support for smokers; the opening of Baby Cafes across the city and a new breastfeeding strategy to provide peer support for breastfeeding mothers; and the implementation of a strategy dedicated to raising young people’s aspirations and reducing teenage pregnancy rates.

“In Leeds we have a very successful neonatal care service, which contributes to the survival of a number of very premature babies each year. This, coupled with the initiatives we have already successfully introduced in Leeds, have given us solid foundations to build upon to ensure we protect the future of our children and improve health, wellbeing and life chances for all families in the city,” continues Dr Yellin.

There are a number of ways people can help to reduce infant mortality. They include:

• Ensuring women access antenatal care early. In Leeds women can call one central number to contact a midwife directly. The telephone number to call is 07748 334007. Lines are open 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday.

• Avoiding co-sleeping (in bed or on the sofa), particularly if the adult is a smoker, they are very tired or have consumed alcohol or drugs.

• Stopping smoking before trying for a baby or during pregnancy. There are a number of free NHS stop smoking services in Leeds.

• Achieving a healthy weight before getting pregnant. Free NHS weight management services are available for adults in various parts of the city. There are also a number of initiatives aimed at educating local people in cooking healthy, nutritious meals on a budget.

To find out about local stop smoking and adult weight management services ask a pharmacist or GP, ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk