Health chief: Infant mortality rate 'horrible'

August 7 2013 (EAST CHICAGO, Ind.) -- Indiana's health commissioner says the state's high infant mortality rate is "horrible" and needs to be addressed.

Indiana had the nation's 47th-highest infant mortality rate in 2011. That year, 7.7 Hoosier children out of every 1,000 live births died before reaching their first birthday.

State Health Commissioner Dr. William C. VanNess II says that lowering Indiana's infant mortality rate is one of the State Department of Health's top three initiatives.

The Times of Munster reports (http://bit.ly/15M30Tl ) that VanNess met Tuesday with health care workers and lawmakers in East Chicago, hoping to spark discussion on ways to improve the state's death rate among its youngest residents.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com

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