Letter to the Editor: 8 for every 1,000
BY Bettina Larsen, Tulsa
Sunday, November 18, 2012
11/18/12 at 3:42 AM
Oklahoma ranks 48 out of the 50 states in health status, meaning that the health of the population as compared to all other U.S. states is 48, not No. 1, but 48. This is not in just one area of health such as arthritis or acid reflux disease, but overall health.
Just last August, the infant mortality ranking (death of a baby less than 1 year old) for Oklahoma was 44 - not No. 1 or even No. 5, but 44th. For a state that purports itself to be pro-family and "pro-life" it befuddles the mind that for every 1,000 live births, eight babies die due to poor health.
This also is a state where the governor and Legislature do not believe that health care for all is a necessity or a human right. Eight babies for every 1,000 die due to poor health status and lack of access to maternal health care for women. Poverty is one of the greatest contributors to poor health, particularly in states with large rural area such as - you guessed it - Oklahoma.
When will Oklahomans realize that access to health services and ensuring that all people have health care is needed to reduce that number. Eight babies for every 1,000.
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