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Premature births worsen US infant death rate

Reasons | 1:13 p.m. Nov. 3, 2009

My guess on reasons US infant deaths are high- 1) US actually discourages abortions (good thing) 2) in some places it is a badge of honor getting pregnant 3) immoral society were teenage sex is commonplace and encouraged 4) poverty often leads to a lack of birth control even though there is plenty of opportunity to use it 5) US generally does not try to control the population and many parents continue with high-risk pregnancies rather than abort.

Facts? | 2:13 p.m. Nov. 3, 2009

Really? How about the fact that both groups count the number of mortalitities differently (e.g. what is a live birth?)

Continuing the same trend | 2:13 p.m. Nov. 3, 2009

No doubt our higher rates of teen pregnancy and poverty play a big role. Southern states have the highest rates of teen pregnancy. Education and easy access to birth control are key.

Western Europe's abortion laws vary. In Sweden, abortions are permitted up to 18 wks but only for life-threatening situations thereafter. In Germany abortion is illegal but women are allowed waivers for rape and other reasons within the first 12 weeks. After 12 weeks abortion only for physical/mental life-threatening situations.

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