41st

U.S. ranking in lowest neonatal death rates worldwide, a drop from 28th place in 1990. Although fewer babies are now dying in their first four weeks — the neonatal period — in the U.S., the pace of progress has not kept up with other countries. Nations where newborns were more likely to survive than in the U.S. in 2009 include Malaysia, Cuba, Lithuania and Poland. The good news is that neonatal mortality fell 28% between 1990 and 2009 worldwide, from 4.6 million deaths to an estimated 3.3 million. But that number can be improved by preventing the three leading causes: preterm delivery, asphyxia and severe infections. [via MyHealthNewsDaily.com]