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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia officials are reporting a substantial decrease in the state's infant mortality rate.
The Virginia Department of health and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association announced that the rate decreased by 18.2 percent from 2007 to 2012. That means nearly 200 more babies a year are making it to their first birthday.
Officials attribute the improvement to collaboration among public, private and nonprofit organizations with a focus on evidence-based methods of reducing the mortality rate.
State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine noted that Virginia recently received a "B'' on the March of Dimes' annual report card. That's above the national average and an improvement over last year's grade of "C."
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