Infant Mortality: A Deceptive Statistic
A separate WHO Bulletin in 2008 noted that registration of stillbirths, live births, and neonatal deaths is done differently in countries where abortion is legal compared with countries where abortion is uncommon or illegal, and these discrepancies generate substantial differences in infant-mortality rates. Jan Richardus showed that the perinatal mortality rate “can vary by 50% depending on which definition is used,” and Wilco Graafmans reported that terminology differences alone among Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. — highly developed countries with substantially different infant-mortality rates — caused rates to vary by 14 to 40 percent, and generated a false reduction in reported infant-mortality rates of up to 17 percent.
Fox and the NR are wrong.
I have worked for the NHS and know the way we compile our statistics. I confirmed this in a personal email to a major UK natal charity, as a few months ago, as there was a similar thread on RightNation, of which I am also a member. And I wanted to confirm that I was correct. I reposted the email verbatim there, I will try and find it if I can. RN has a habit though of wiping old threads, but I will try and find it.
The NR is particularly bad when writing about the UK. It gets simple facts wrong a lot.
I contacted Bliss, the premier British charity that helps care for premature and sick babies and their families
‘Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a query about infant mortality that I hope you can help me with.
I am curious as to the definition/methodology of British infant mortality. For example, the United States counts all births as live if they show any sign of life, regardless of prematurity or size. But I have been unable to find any information on whether Britain’s definition is the same, similar or different.
I would be grateful if you could answer said question or point me to information that would answer my question.’
‘Dear *****
In regards to the definition of live births the British definition is the same as the Americans’ in that it counts all births as live if they show any sign of life, regardless of prematurity and size.
I hope this answer is helpful to your enquiry.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.’
Kind regards
Lucy
(Lucy Schonegevel
Campaigns and Policy Officer BLISS)