1.3 infant deaths during first year of life per 1,000 women in 2001 (5.4 in England)

- 3.7 still births and deaths per 1,000 women in first week of life in 2001 (8 in England)

- 1.1 decayed teeth per child in 2002/03 (0.56 in England)

- 0.1 missing teeth per child in 2002/03 (0.09 in England)

Kate Lloyd, public health nurse at Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust, said the PCT was committed to improving maternal health, which has direct implications on infant mortality. She said:"Work is going on to raise the already higher than average breast-feeding rates by developing training packages for staff and promoting peer support, and to support pregnant smokers who wish to quit. Additionally, health visitors offer an effective programme of family support."

Source: Office of National Statistics, British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry Survey 2002/03, annual report of the director of public health 2004 Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust.