Virginia's infant mortality rate has declined to its lowest level.
The 2008 rate was 6.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 7.7 deaths in 2007, Gov. Timothy Kaine said Tuesday at a news conference. Infant mortality among black Virginians also fell to its lowest level at 12.2 deaths per 1,000, down from 15.5 in 2007.
Kaine set a goal of reducing the state's rate to below seven deaths per 1,000 by 2010, indicating the number of infants out of every thousand born in Virginia that would die before their first birthday.
The infant mortality rate reflects the quality and availability of prenatal and birth care for children and mothers.
Virginia's health commissioner created a working group in November to develop strategies to reach the governor's goal.
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