February 5th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has released a report showing significant improvement  on several priority health measures as part of its ongoing State Health Improvement Process (SHIP). Of the 41 SHIP measures, 28 either met the target goal for 2014 or showed significant improvement toward the goal. Improvement goals were surpassed for infant mortality, which declined by 13 percent in the four-year measurement period, and child and adolescent obesity, which declined by 6 percent. Goals for reducing tobacco use also were surpassed, with adults having an 18 percent decrease in use and youths having a 32 percent decrease in use in three years.