Why is infant mortality so much higher in the deep south?

Question

Take a look at this link, and click on the graphic on the left side titled "Ominous trends in infant mortality in the south".

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/health/22infant.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Then answer this;

Why is the republican controlled deep south allowing this to happen?

Have the cuts in welfare, medicaid, and access to doctors caused this?

If republicans are pro life - why is this happening? I thought you guys cared about innocent children - right cons?

Answer 1

Republican's aren't Pro-Life, they'r'e Pro-Birth. They could care less what happens to the baby when it's here, which is most often hardship and a life of poverty if it comes to a single young woman that can't afford to support her and a baby, who they can then turn around and defamate because she's a single mom on welfare living off of their hard-earned tax dollars.

Answer 2

Because conservatives aren't pro life but pro birth for religious reasons.Once you're out of the womb you're on your own.The unborn and gay people who try to have equal rights are the only times these self proclaimed Christians let their faith influence their policy choices. America as a whole does worse in infant mortality rate than communist Cuba under the crippling US embargo.

Answer 3

I have lived all over the country including the deep south, and I have noticed certain trends and differences in the areas.
Although, poverty and lack of insurance are contributors, they are definitely not the only factors. If so then it wouldn't be only the infant mortality rate you are talking about. That is the same trend as low income inner cities and ghetto areas.

One thing I have noticed particularly with infant mortality is the ideals in caring for infants.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not chastizing anybody for their ideas on caring for infants. However, in those smaller areas, SIDS is also more rampant, possibly to do with the fact that those areas don't typically believe in putting babies to sleep on their backs, because they sleep better on tummies.
Also, regarding SIDS, children in smoking households are more likely to die from this syndrome. In the more poverty stricken areas, people are more likely to be in a smoking household.
Then you have the other more "old fashioned" ideas about infant care. Giving babies food before they are ready. Giving sleeping aids, sometimes even alcohol. Lack of childcare is a big one. Kids and infants are less supervised and accidents are more likely to happen. Parents have to work to make ends meet, but quality childcare is sometimes out of reach.
Then access to drs. is becoming increasingly difficult, not just in these areas. Medical malpractice insurance is too high, drs are becoming less and less. In these areas it doesn't pay as much for a dr to be there as opposed to bigger cities where the money is. Those areas are going to have to become more developed economically to ensure growth and success.
I'm actually not a conservative, but I am a realist and have seen these things with my own eyes.
Our Govt. cannot be responsible for the education of those refusing to be educated.

Answer 4

Republican Doctrine since the Religious Right took over my party dictates that only the unborn are worth caring about.
Once a kid is born, they're on their own.
Sadly, this is also a racial issue as the majority of infant deaths in the South are African-American.

Bring back the party of Rockefeller and Goldwater: socially and fiscally responsible.

Answer 5

Republicans only care about kids before they are born.

During the Clinton years, the number of abortions was steadily decreasing each year. Under Bush, the number has been going up again. Why do they talk about a culture of life when everything they do leads to more death.

Answer 6

From the article you cited:

The main causes of infant death in poor Southern regions included premature and low-weight births; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is linked to parental smoking and unsafe sleeping positions as well as unknown causes; congenital defects; and, among poor black teenage mothers in particular, deaths from accidents and disease.


Yep Republicans fault...DA

Next liberal, I am done with this one

Answer 7

Who told you that you should blame Republican, the NY Times?

Answer 8

It must be all those years of democratic social policy that has finally reaped it's promised rewards.

Answer 9

Conservatives don't give a tinker's dam about anybody but their own rich bunch of friends. any middle class person is crazy or ignorant is they vote Repub. until the "compassionate" part of the compassionate Conservatives actually means more than a gimmick to get elected

Answer 10

Maybe, just maybe it has something to do with the rural nature of the states and their proximity to hospitals

Keep reaching