Cuba has lowest infest death rate..........

[Guest power2u]

Cuba has lowest infant deaths in Latam region

AFP

HAVANA (AFP) - Cuba's infant mortality rate has fallen to less than six deaths per thousand babies born, the lowest in Latin America, according to government figures.

The figure of 5.8 deaths per thousand contrasts with the 37.3 per thousand infant deaths when Cuban leader Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, official newspaper Granma reported Monday.

In the last 12 months, 127,062 births were registered on the island of 11 million. Some 735 infants died largely due to perinatal infection and congenital defects, according to the report.

Cuba puts strong emphasis on health and education. Its low infant mortality rate compares to eight per cent in Costa Rica and Chile, according to UNICEF figures.

Cuba is among 36 countries worldwide with the lowest infant mortality rate, "despite being blockaded for more than four decades by the world's most powerful country," Granma said, in a jab at the United States. It noted that the US infant death rate is seven per thousand.

[Ovedya]

I suppose that's good news. However, I wonder what Cuba's adult mortality rate is!

[Cherub_Rocket]

I'm not sure I believe the article. Is there any accurate way to determine what goes on in that country? I think not.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Since some seem to think that George W. Bush is our new Grand exalted Dictator Poohbah for life? I believe we should be seeing less infant death here. Maybe we should start with abolishing abortion?

Do you realize that Cuba consistantly runs about 40% on abortions versus live births? Of course I'm sure that staistic was not taken into account in the infant mortality figures?

Figures from the U.S. State Department;

Zenith and Eclipse: A Comparative Look at Socio-Economic Conditions in Pre-Castro and Present Day Cuba

Released by the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, February 9, 1998. Revised June 2002

SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION

An enduring myth is that 1950's Cuba was a socially and economically backward country whose development was jump-started by the Castro government.  In fact, according to readily available historical data, Cuba was a relatively advanced country in 1958, certainly by Latin American standards and, in some areas, by world standards.  The data show that Cuba has at best maintained what were already high levels of development in health and education, but at an extraordinary cost to the overall welfare of the Cuban people.  These include access to "basics" such as adequate levels of food and electricity, but also access to consumer goods, the availability of which have increased significantly in other Latin American countries in recent decades.

In this study, the most recent data available has been used.  Castro does not allow regular surveys on certain Cuban topics that would ultimately reflect the continuing steady decline of the Cuban economy. Therefore, the data provided is not as current as that which would be used in ideal circumstances.

It is true that Cuba's infant mortality rate is the second best in Latin America today, but it was the best in Latin America -- and the 13th lowest in the world -- in pre-Castro Cuba.  Cuba also has improved the literacy of its people, but Cuba had an excellent educational system and impressive literacy rates in the 1950's.

On the other hand, many economic and social indicators have declined since the 1959 revolution.  Pre-Castro Cuba ranked third in Latin America in per capita food consumption but ranked last out of the 11 countries analyzed in terms of percent of increase since 1957.  Overall, Cuban per capita food consumption from 1954-1997 has decreased by 11.47 percent [1].  Per capita consumption of cereals, tubers, and meat are today all below 1950's levels[2].  The number of automobiles in Cuba has fallen since the 1950's[3] -- the only country in Latin America for which this is the case.  The number of telephone lines in Cuba also has been virtually frozen at 1950's levels[4].  Cuba once ranked first in Latin America and fifth in the world in television sets per capita.  In 1996 it barely ranked ninth[5] in Latin America and is well back in the ranks globally.

Cuba's rate of development of electrical power since the 1950's also ranks behind every other country in Latin America including Haiti[6].  Cuba

[Ovedya]

The figure of 5.8 deaths per thousand contrasts with the 37.3 per thousand infant deaths when Cuban leader Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, official newspaper Granma reported Monday.

The CIA's website says that the infant mortality rate is 6.45 deaths per thousand live births total (male & female).

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cu.html

Someone more versed in statistical analysis can determine the significance of the information there. Suffice it to say that people aren't trying to leave the country en masse because it's a fabulous place to live.

[Guest Arnold J.Rimmer]

I'm not sure I believe the article. Is there any accurate way to determine what goes on in that country? I think not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just because it isnt in America does not mean it is a country of mindless savages.

Cuba has one of the best education, health and welfare setups in the world, it is a fantastic place to live, just because you ahve been brainwashed that "anything that even remotely resembles left wing politics equals bad" does not make it right.

Edited to remove profanity reference.

Edited January 4, 2005 by Ovedya

[Ovedya]

Cuba has one of the best education, health and welfare setups in the world, it is a fantastic place to live...

Then I welcome you to move there, with all deliberation and haste.

[RustyAngeL]

I agree, I'm not sure I believe anything that comes out of Cuba. As for the infant death here, I would like nothing more then to stop abortion and so would president Bush but I wonder can he reverse a law that has been passed? He is trying to appoint judges that are pro life and this is an uphill battle in a liberal world that we live in. Most of the congress will not approve of pro life judges because they they don't want to loose their seat in the Senate and Congress. There are a few who will not sell out but not many. Sad.

Edited January 4, 2005 by Rustyangel

[other one]

I agree, I'm not sure I believe anything that comes out of Cuba.  As for the infant death here, I would  like nothing more then to stop abortion and so would president Bush but I wonder can he reverse a law that has been passed?  He is trying to appoint judges that are pro life and this is an uphill battle in a liberal world that we live in.  Most of the congress will not approve of pro life judges because they they don't want to loose their seat in the Senate and Congress.  There are a few who will not sell out but not many.  Sad.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rusty, all it would take to end abortion is for a majority of the people in this country to force the issue. While I am not pro abortion I do realize that a majority of the people of the nation are..... when that changes congress will tell the supreme court that they can't hear cases on abortion and that will be the end of it in the federal courts. However until this nation becomes pro life it is not going to happen. That is why I fear Gods wrath on this country.... it is not the politicians that are the problem... it is us. When us force the issue the elected officials will follow or be gone.

We should not be so focused on ending abortion with the elected people, we should be trying to change the minds of Americans...... when that happens abortions will go away for good....

[Cherub_Rocket]

Roe v Wade doesn't have to be overturned, because it is illegitimate to begin with. The Courts were never intended to serve as a final arbiter in Constitutional cases.

Congress must legally affirm the personhood of the unborn; this will guarantee equal protection under the 14th Amendment, rendering abortion illegal throughout the States. The Supreme Court could do nothing to stop this because they have no police power.