Iceland has the second lowest rate of infant mortality in the world, according to a new report by UNICEF. the rate of infant mortality in Iceland is 1 death for every 1,000 births. The lowest infant mortality rate is in Japan, 1 for 1,111 live births. Meanwhile, the highest infant mortality rate is in Pakistan where one out of every 22 children dies within the first month.
UK comes in at 27th place and the US at 36th place. The infant mortality in the UK is 2.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births, and 3.7 in the US.
The report (pdf) notes that Japan, Iceland and Singapore are the three safest countries in which to be born. High standards of living and guaranteed public access to a first rate publich health system are among the keys to low levels of infant mortality:
Countries such as Japan, Iceland and Singapore have strong, well-resourced health systems, ample numbers of highly skilled health workers, a well-developed infrastructure, readily available clean water and high standards of sanitation and hygiene in health facilities.
Public health education, combined with very high standards of medical care, guaranteed universal access to quality health care at all ages, and general standards of nutrition, education and environmental safety are also high. These factors likely all contribute to very low newborn mortality rates.
Iceland has the second lowest rate of infant mortality in the world, according to a new report by UNICEF. the rate of infant mortality in Iceland is 1 death for every 1,000 births. The lowest infant mortality rate is in Japan, 1 for 1,111 live births. Meanwhile, the highest infant mortality rate is in Pakistan where one out of every 22 children dies within the first month.
UK comes in at 27th place and the US at 36th place. The infant mortality in the UK is 2.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births, and 3.7 in the US.
The report (pdf) notes that Japan, Iceland and Singapore are the three safest countries in which to be born. High standards of living and guaranteed public access to a first rate publich health system are among the keys to low levels of infant mortality:
Countries such as Japan, Iceland and Singapore have strong, well-resourced health systems, ample numbers of highly skilled health workers, a well-developed infrastructure, readily available clean water and high standards of sanitation and hygiene in health facilities.
Public health education, combined with very high standards of medical care, guaranteed universal access to quality health care at all ages, and general standards of nutrition, education and environmental safety are also high. These factors likely all contribute to very low newborn mortality rates.
