Infant Mortality Recommendations

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The Governor's Task Force on Infant
Mortality recommends improved access to early prenatal care and
increased awareness of safe sleep practices for infants.
     Gov. Dennis Daugaard appointed the 27-member task force in May
to study the state's infant mortality rate and recommend ways to
reduce it. The panel made its recommendations to Daugaard on
Wednesday.
     An average of 80 South Dakota infants die each year before their
first birthdays.
     The state's infant mortality rate for 2000 through 2010 was 7
per 1,000 births, which was higher than the national rate and
higher than rates of neighboring North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa,
Nebraska and Montana.
     First Lady Linda Daugaard chaired the task force of
representatives from hospitals, clinics, boards and agencies
related to medicine, behavioral health and social work.