NOTICE the U.S. ranking compared to Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Why do you think our infant mortality rate is so much higher?
Infant mortality in the U.S. is comparable to that of Cuba and Croatia.
Each year, babies in the U.S. die at twice the rate of those in Japan or Sweden – most because they are born premature. Although our numbers are better today than they were in 1970, we fare worse relative to other countries. Greece, South Korea and Slovenia have all surpassed us during this time.
Of the premature babies who survive, many face a lifetime of learning and medical problems, including increased risk for hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease.
Racial segregation in many American cities, including New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, is comparable to South Africa under apartheid. (Massey, 2004)
