"Situational analysis of poverty and poverty-related health problems in the USA Human poverty index.

As we can see in the following graph [see link below], of 17 industrialized countries the US has the highest level of poverty. It also has the widest income disparity and the highest rate of child mortality.

Although child mortality in industrialized countries tends to be much lower than in poor countries, some rich countries have substantially more child deaths than others. America takes the lead.

Poverty as a determinant of poor health.

On observing the above graphs, note that poverty and child mortality rates tend to correlate closely. In terms of overall well-being, Sweden is one of the world leaders, with both poverty and child mortality rates at half those of the United States. But why? Sweden has one of the world's most comprehensive public welfare systems, based on strong political commitment to meeting all people's basic needs and assuring a decent quality of life. This commitment is sustained through high progressive taxation.

In the US, poverty rates for vulnerable group--notably children and single-mother households--are worse than in other industrialized countries. This is partly explained by the nation's huge--and growing--income disparity. Today 1 of every 4 American children lives below the poverty line. In the North, this high rate is matched only by the former Soviet Union."

http://www.healthwrights.org/articles/geneva/geneva1.htm


Child mortality rates....in other words, death. Also see my post from last night, the results of a CDC study.

On the other hand, Sweden takes care of its people. There's the "one example" of "successful socialism" that some have been demanding.

The U.S. surely is the world's number 1 country, in terms of wealth & power. But whoever is not aware how low it ranks in health care, education, and some other crucial indicators, compared to other industrialized nations, simply does not want to be aware.