Poor infant mortality is something that Bradford has experienced a problem with for many years. And, while the issue is still one that causes concern, it is heartening to see that survival rates for babies born in Bradford are improving.

The latest figures show, in fact, that the survival rate has improved for the fifth year in a row and infant mortality rates are at their lowest level for a decade.

As good as this is, it is still not cause for celebration or complacency. While the rate of infant mortality is going down it is still six for every 1,000 births in Bradford, compared to a national average of 4.1 per 1,000 births. This means, in real terms, that 50 children under the age of one died in the Bradford district in 2012, the year these latest Office of National Statistics figures relate to.

There is a lot of hard work being done by the various agencies, including Bradford Council and the NHS, who are committed to making the Every Baby Matters Action Plan for the district work. But the social factors which often lead to infant mortality remain a problem and still need tackling. These include high-risk activities or conditions among pregnant women, including poverty, obesity, smoking, diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption.

The Born In Bradford project is also continuing to investigate, through its study of a massive cohort of babies as they grow up, the causes of infant mortality and childhood illnesses and how they can be effectively tackled.

But there is only so far these action plans and studies can go. Anyone who brings a child into the world must also face up to the responsibilities attendant on becoming a parent and alter their lifestyles accordingly if they hope to give their babies a fighting chance.