First Lady Meets With Lawmakers

    PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota first Lady Linda Daugaard says
the state must improve the medical care of pregnant women and take
other steps to reduce the state's infant mortality rate.
     The first lady on Tuesday met with a legislative panel to
discuss the findings of a task force she chaired on infant
mortality.
     The group's recommendations include improved access to early
prenatal care for women and increased awareness of safe sleep
practices for infants.
     The report indicates that South Dakota's infant mortality rate
for 2000 through 2010 was 7 deaths per 1,000 births, which was
higher than the national rate and higher than the rates in
neighboring North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Montana.