U.S. Infant Mortality

I was pleased to see an article address the problem of infant mortality in our country, but I was dismayed with its content. As the wealthiest country in the world, it is deplorable that the U.S. should have such a high infant mortality rate. While at the very least it does not speak well of our efforts to deal with the problems of poverty, what is unsettling is that most of the 40,000 infant deaths per year are from largely preventable causes. We need leaders who are committed to the health and well-being of all of our country’s children and who are willing to make the welfare of children a high priority.

On Sept. 29, the United Nations will sponsor the first World Summit for Children, which will be a historic opportunity for heads of state from around the world to convene and discuss the universal problems of child welfare. President Bush agreed to attend the summit. My hope is that he will set forth ambitious and measurable goals and emerge as a leader among leaders.

KENTON YOUNGSTROM

Los Angeles