The USA has one of the very lowest, if not the lowest,
> birthweight-specific
> infant mortality rates.  In terms of overall infant mortality rates, our
> poplulations are quite a bit different in terms of heterogeneity, than
> most of the
> countries with better IMRs.
>

This statement about heterogeneity is no excuse.  Why should there be such a
huge difference from the priviledged and those who are not?

That IS very much a problem and should be seen as shameful, not "We can't do
anything about those "immigrants, African Americans, Native Americans....
(fill in the blanks)" who increase our socalled otherwise good record on
infant mortality.

The very fact that low birthweight remains a huge problem in this country is
another example of our very poor record on preventative public health.  By
excluding the fact that low birthweights are often a result of poverty and
poor health care you are skewing the data.

Susan E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC

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