Proud as a new papa, state officials this week crowed that Maine in 1997 had the lowest infant-mortality rate in the nation and perhaps lower than any other country in the world. With all the discouraging news about health-care costs and access, the low mortality rate is worth celebrating.

The best part about this achievement is the trend behind it. The rate dropped from 6.5 deaths per 1,000 births in 1995, to 4.4 in ’96 to 3.7 last year. In a nation where the infant-mortality rate has been historically high — the United States currently ranks 23rd, among the worst of the industrialized world — Maine has attained something remarkable.

Dora Ann Mills, director of the Bureau of Health, and Kevin Concannon, commissioner of the Department of Human Services, are more than happy to describe how Maine did it. The cite four reasons in general and three specific to Maine. They’re worth noting.

In general, the infant mortality rate has dropped from one death for every eight births in 1900 to one in every 270 today for these reasons: Childhood immunizations against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and meningitis have become common place, with Maine again leading the nation in immunization rates; improved prenatal care, which allow difficult pregnancies to be monitored more closely; better nutrition, not just for the well-off but also through programs such as WIC; and increased support for pregnant women and young children, through programs such as those that provide public health nurses.

But why has Maine been able to reduce its rate to such low levels? Dr. Mills and Mr. Concannon offers these suggestions.

Sudden infant death syndrome here has dropped 70 percent over the last decade because parents now know how to protect against it by doing such simple things as placing babies on their backs when they sleep and keeping them away from cigarette smoke.

Premature births have declined as statewide neonatal care systems have developed, drug treatment has improved and the number of teen mothers has decreased. Teens are much more likely than adults to give birth to premature babies. Maine’s teen birth rate is now third lowest in the nation.

All Maine babies are screened for six common genetic diseases, which, when caught early, can be treated. The screenings have been done for more than 30 years, dramatically reducing what once was a leading cause of infant death.

Doctors, care givers, hospital staff and lots of happy parents might join the Maine officials in appreciating this encouraging news.