Sex ratio at birth and in all ages in rural areas is better than in urban areas. Releasing the Annual Health Survey results of nine states in New Delhi, Health Secretary K. Chandramouli said that urban areas are recording a decline in female birth rate. The survey was carried out in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Orissa and Chhattisgarh – during July 2010-March 2011.These 9 states which account for about 48 per cent of the total population in the country, are the high focus states in view of their relatively higher fertility and mortality indicators. The Health Survey said six districts of the eight empowered Action Group States have attained the UN Millenium Development Goal by reducing the infant mortality rate to 28. This UN target was to achieved by 2015. The survey concluded that 100 districts contribute for about 50 per cent of total infant deaths in these nine states. Mr. Chandramouli said that the indicators will help the government to plan action in the districts where the indicators are adverse.