This report provides a summary of the Public Health Service Act Infant Mortality Amendments of 1987 (S. 1441), background information and rationale for the legislation, the text of the bill as reported, views of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, a statement of approval by the Committee, the Congressional Budget Office cost…

Based on an analysis of 46 small geographic areas, birth weight statistics were related to variables of income, home maintenance, medical and dental care, and aid to dependent children. It was suggested that birth weight statistics may be more effective than infant mortality statistics for many purposes where death data are now used. (EH)

Divided into three sections, this research bulletin presents: (1) a brief review of changes in the American Indian mortality and fertility rates, illustrating a transition process much like that experienced by developing nations; (2) an analysis of variations in the social and economic organization of different parts of the Navajo Reservation; (3)…

According to several indicators of health status, minorities are less healthy than whites. The health care system not only fails these minorities through the omission of essential health services. It also actively discriminates against them in manifold ways that place them at a continuing disadvantage. (Author/GC)

Presents a demographic and public health approach and documents the changes and components of change in the mortality rates of black infants in the U.S. over different time periods. (Author/AM)

The health problems of developing nations are very different from those of the industrialized world. Simpler and more extensive care is more effective in these settings than highly specialized technology and practices imported from Western countries. One key to improving general health and stabilizing population grwoth is the prevention of…

Observations from a 1977-78 study of children's cognitive development in Kadavu, Fiji, are discussed in terms of setting, adult work and education, medical care, marriage and residence patterns, infant birth and mortality, and, extensively, cultural values and infant care. It is argued that the observed pattern of infant care fulfills important…

Examines demographic information about the status of young children around the world. Graphs nations with the largest populations of young children and highest percentage of their populations composed of young children in comparison to the aged, the percentage of regional populations under age 5 and over 64, and birth and infant mortality rates.…

Models the survival outcomes of children in developing countries born to women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are breast-fed, bottle-fed, and wet-nursed. Uses decision analysis to assess the relative risk of child mortality from HIV transmission and non-HIV causes associated with different methods of feeding. (FMW)

Studied perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality of diabetic mothers and their offspring in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Suggests diabetes mellitus in pregnancy may be a common problem in Saudi Arabia, as poor maternal diabetic control results in high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Results suggest that health education and improved coverage of…

In 1980 urban Brazil, race of mother significantly affected child mortality after controlling for region, income, and parent education, with a mortality gap of 6.7 years between the whites and Afro-Brazilians. Parent education, indoor plumbing, access to public health care, and presence of adult females significantly reduced the probability of…

Two scales for measuring international health status are proposed as alternatives to the current measure--infant mortality rate. Health Status 1 is an interval scale combining infant mortality and literacy rate. Health Status 2 comprises these statistics, plus death rate for persons 65 years and older, and mental hospital admissions. (SLD)

Among the most influential findings from the World Fertility Survey (WFS) were those linking fertility patterns to child survival, in particular the findings concerning the high infant and child mortality for children born after a short birth interval. This study examined the relations between fertility and child survival based on more recent data…

The "Back to Sleep" public health campaign, which recommends that infants be placed on their backs for sleeping help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), was initiated in 1994. The campaign was led by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and co-sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service, the…

This fact sheet presents information about the educare situation in South Africa to illustrate the glaring disparities between the races, until recently officially classified as White, Indian, Colored, and Black. These statistics delineate: (1) the under-6 population by race, geographic, and economic background; (2) costs, fees, and…