Description

Infant mortality has unquestionably declined throughout Latin America over the last
decade, even under conditions of low and unstable economic growth and a meagre overall
reduction of poverty in the region. The declines in infant mortality vary from one country
to another. The persistence of high infant mortality rates is related to low income,
teenage pregnancy and lack of access to basic services, as well as to the lack of appropriate
health care infrastructure. At the same time, both the rural population as a whole, and the
indigenous and Afro-descendent population in particular, has fallen markedly behind, with
overall infant mortality rates much higher than among the rest of the population. Moreover, the
cause and incidence of death in this age group have been changing according with the changes
in neonatal and post-neonatal deaths. Our editorial line-up has created space for
opinions from adolescents and youth, as well as from policy experts on the problem, its
causes, and approaches to dealing with infant mortality. We also offer succinct information on
a broad range of programmes—utilizing various interventions—in different countries of the
region regarding maternal and infant care, in an attempt to bring about a reduction in
mortality.