While Kansas health officials continue to search for ways to improve the states infant mortality death rate, a local coalition is well on it’s way of doing so in Geary County.

The Kansas overall infant mortality rate in 2012 was 6.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. That’s above the national rate of 5.9 out of 1,000 live births.

Since 2010 the Geary County rate has decreased significantly according to Terrah Stroda, Geary County Perinatal Coalition Chair,”We went from our previous count in 2010 at 10.37 per 1,000 live births and as of today (Tuesday) we are down to 8.9 per 1,000 live births in just two years time.”

Stroda credited the work the coalition has done through it’s program, Delivering Change: Healthy Moms, Healthy Baby’s as a source for the decrease.

“Make moms aware that they can come to prenatal care as early as they find out they are pregnant,” Stroda said. “We solidify the importance of prenatal care with them and we are working really hard to decrease any of those risks that moms may carry, either prior to or during, the pregnancy so that the baby that’s born has the ultimate chance  of being healthy and going on to live a very healthy life.”

Stroda said that their goal is to have Geary County’s rate at, or below, the national rate within five years.