Photo by Mike Weekes, Jr.

D.C.’s infant mortality rate has hit a historic low, according to a report by the D.C. Department of Health published today. The Post reports:

Of 9,156 children born in the District in 2010, 73 died before their first birthday, a rate of 8 per 1,000 births, according to the latest data available.

The District’s infant mortality rate was one of the worst among large U.S. cities, peaking in 1989 at 23.1 per 1,000 births. The rate fell to 13.1 in 2007 and declined steadily for each of the following three years. Although it is still higher than the national infant mortality rate of 6.1, it is lower than rates in Baltimore (11), Richmond (13.5) and Detroit (12.8), D.C. officials said.

The decreases were attributed to pregnant women smoking less, teenagers being less likely to have children, better access for women to prenatal care, and an increase in the number of home visits to high-poverty areas in D.C.