[corporateVeal27]

Skeptical of these numbers:

1. "4 (Cuban) vs 6 (American) deaths per live birth."

Are we sure they're measured the same? Are we sure that the count for deaths starts at the same time? Could easily be that Cuban mothers are more likely to lose a baby at an earlier stage of pregnancy (for example Cubans measure it from 2nd trimester on, Americans measure it from conception so Cubans fail to count early stage deaths).

2. "7500 deaths per year in US".

The author does not seem to have his figures correct. Approximately 3.8 million american babies are born per year. If 0.6% of them die that's 228,000 total deaths and a differential of about 60,000 between US rates and Cuba's. Not to nitpick here but if you can't get these objective facts right how can I take you seriously about other things you're saying?

[danielvf]

According to the CDC, in 2013, there were 3,932,181 live births and 23,446 infant deaths (from birth to age one). That checks out with a 6 in 1000 ratio.

[falsedan]

> Americans measure it from conception

A pre-birth death can't be counted among the 'per live birth' deaths, and would have to include estimates of miscarriage rates since those are woefully underreported everywhere. Pretty sure every country starts the clock at birth.

[corporateVeal27]

I wasn't implying they DO measure it from conception I'm just an example that could explain a discrepancy that is not indicative of better results

Agree on the point about underreporting everywher

[corporateVeal27]

Edit: I meant 22.8k not 228k. Type on my part. Good thing I don't publish articles :)