A recent study report included the following shocking statistics:

“The United States has a higher infant mortality rate than any of the other 27 wealthy countries, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control. A baby born in the U.S. is nearly three times as likely to die during her first year of life as one born in Finland or Japan. That same American baby is about twice as likely to die in her first year as a Spanish or Korean one. Despite healthcare spending levels that are significantly higher than any other country in the world, a baby born in the U.S. is less likely to see his first birthday than one born in Hungary, Poland or Slovakia. Or in Belarus. Or in Cuba for that matter.”

**Belarus has a better record than the United States in preventing infant mortality?!?**

The reasons for this seem to have less to do with the quality of the medical are at the time of birth as it does to the socio-economic status of the babies during their first year of life. Put simply, a child born to a poor mother is much more likely to experience health problems that can lead to death than a child born to more wealthy parents. The social welfare systems in place in other developed countries are more thorough and complete and result in even a poor child having a better chance of survival.

Birthing problems can occur in even a good medical setting, and obstetrical care can be below the standard in even good hospitals. But this study indicates that this not where the problem lies for American children. The problems, by and large, are not occurring in the hospitals where babies are born, but rather in the home after the mother and baby are discharged. The U.S. medical system has put a large emphasis in recent years on improving prenatal care. This emphasis is well-placed, but we now apparently need an equal emphasis on post-birth care that extends to the first birthday of the child.