This pamphlet summarizes the proceedings of a conference on infant mortality sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Participants were 25 people engaged in various disciplines (physicians, nurses, social workers, sociologists, statisticians and others) who discussed key issues on the basis of their own knowledge and experience. The two major points made were: (1) that society needs to concentrate less on the reduction of infant mortality as a goal in itself than on assuring that children who survive are whole, healthy individuals, and (2) that no matter how good the medical care system is, mortality rates cannot be lowered below a certain point unless certain changes are made in the social environment. Within this context, many issues and areas in need of research were identified, particularly in connection with the period when the majority of deaths occur: the last eight weeks before birth and the first four weeks after birth. It was also emphasized that there is already sufficient knowledge to significantly lower the infant mortality rate in the United States if institutional change, including comprehensive care programs for the poor, could be effected. (Author/NH)