Infant mortality in the United States is higher than 16 other (developed nations), with 11.5 babies out of 1,000 dying before age 1. A report based on international figures and released last week by (the Population Reference Bureau) -- PRB in Washington, D. C. ranks the United States in 17th place among nations with the lowest (infant mortality rates); Finland, Japan and Sweden led the ranking with rates of less than 7 per 1,000. Especially in countries with a low infant mortality rates, the statistics reflect the incidence of genetic birth defects leading to death. In the United States, say some researchers, the statistics also provide a (social indicator). Says Brian McCarthy of (the Centers for Disease Control) in Atlanta, “Infant mortality rate is affected by social, medical and environmental policies.” The U.S. statistics show that 19.6 black babies per 1,000 die before age 1, (compared with) white babies at 10.1per 1,000. “The real cause is probably poverty,” says PRB's Carl Haub. “That’s represented in the rates for low birth weight babies among blacks.” Infant mortality closely correlates to low birth weight which, Haub says, results from (a rarity of factors), including (poor diet) and (inadequate medical care). McCarthy blames the disproportionately low socioeconomic status of U. S. blacks for their high infant mortality. In comparison, he says, "Whites are five times more likely than blacks to fall into the socioeconomic profile of lowest infant mortality rate."
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