Gains in U.S. infant mortality rate stagnating
June 21, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Women's Health
As we can see around the world, particularly in the poorer countries, maternal health is directly related to infant health and death.
The United States, one of the richest countries in the world, still has a significant infant mortality rate, which – at one time – was improving. However, the gains have slowed down. According to this article, Slowing Decline In Infant Mortality Linked To Poor Health Among Pregnant Women, Report Finds, “gains in infant health have stagnated because of worsening health conditions — such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes — among pregnant women. “In the wake of all the great medical breakthroughs over the last 40 years, one would assume that infant mortality rates would plummet,” TFAH Executive Director Jeff Levi said, adding, “Instead, medical progress has been canceled out in the delivery room by the deteriorating health of childbearing-aged women and their lack of health care access” (Johnson, CQ HealthBeat, 6/13).”
Mr. Levi’s comments are very significant – and sad.
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