Home Birth

Dr D · June 6, 2008

http://wonder.cdc.gov/lbd-icd10.html
Go to this site and sort birth deaths by medical attendant and you will be suprised.

It seems that Midwife births have a death rate of 2.95\1000

and Medical Doctors have a death rate of 7.10\1000

I agree with Bob, Having babies is a risky gamble. If it is your turn or the childs turn, it will happen.

It is easy to blame people or methods when there are many factors involved with pediatric health.

The US ranks about 20 on the list of industrialized countries for infant mortality , number one being the least mortality, Most Us births are in a hospital.

I will try and give a brief synopsis as to why hospital procedures are the cause of most birth issues. Its a long list.

Physiologically a woman has certain natural protections built in just like dogs cats etc. If a cat is giving birth and you find it, it will stop sometimes for as long as a day until it finds a safer place. women are no different. We rush them speeding to the hospital tear off their clothes and 6 strange people poke and prod them and act nervous and concerned.

We are confused when the progress of the labor slows or stops!?! Its a natural protective mechanism.

Since the labor isn't prgressing we give the woman petosin which stimulates the uterus to contract. typically the cervix isn't fully efaced (thinned ) yet and the added pressure actually thickens it. this generally results in an epesiotomy ( the cut the hole bigger ) so that things won't tear. Never mind that tears heal quicker and better than the epesiotomy.

Can you say incontinence and bowel control problems?

Also because the natural process has been totally hijacked at this point manual assistance is usually required to get the baby out. Forceps, suction or the docs hands do a lot of twisting and pulling which causes birth trauma ( damage to the spinal cord ) of varying degrees. C sections are more traumatic to the baby than vaginal births due to the twisting and pulling done during that process.

Still births are seldom categorized but I have seen at least one study that MRI'd the Still born babies and many of them had cord seperations in the cervical spine. (For those of you not following the doctor lingo, THe doctor pulled to hard and tore the spinal cord loose from the brain)

I would say that the risks are about even with appropriate supervised home birth pullling ahead.

there is a better option available to many people now. A birthing center.

Plain tree hospitals have them as do many others. the rooms are made up like a bedroom with no hospital stuff showing etc. a midwife can do the birth with the doctor just down the hall if something goes wrong etc.

another statistic for you, fetal monitoring causes a 25% increase in emergency Csections due to false alarms.

I recomend the bradley method for mothers wanting a natural birth.

We haven't even discussed the effect of the birthing drugs on the fetus.

I can recomend some good reading for any who are interested in facts rather than opinions.

there is also a very simple and noninvasive technique for turning breech babies available from chiropractors called the webster technique.

mothers with illium misalignments have more trouble giving birth. prenatal chiropractic is so effective that many Ob's know that the mother is under care simply because of the ease and speed of the birth.

another interesting physiological fact:

Lying on your back with your feet in stirrups is the worst possible position for birth since it closes the lower part of the pelvis ( Its used for Doctor convienence )

Side note: I am in no way bashing OB/GYNs they are simply doing what they have been taught to do and are locked in to it by massive malpractice rates and hospital policy. Those that know better often quit.

Its hard to make a living when your insurance alone is approaching 100k per year.

tex1230 · June 6, 2008

This thread is a prime example of the old saying:

90% of statistics can be made to say anything you want them to 80% of the time.

Dr D · June 6, 2008

http://icpa4kids.org/

Birth Trauma

Birth Trauma

KISS Syndrome: Kinematic Imbalance Due to Sub-occipital Strain in Newborns:

Caused by intrauterine-constraint or the traumas of birth, KISS Syndrome can be reviewed here:

http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymmt/article/PIIS0161475405000552/fulltext#section6

Manual Therapy in Children: Proposals for an Etiologic Model, Heiner Biedermann, MD

From the excerpt: In research done in the Netherlands, healthy newborns were examined routinely after birth and a noticeable amount of intracerebral lesions were found.In our studies, infants born by cesarean delivery are underrepresented, and even more so if one excludes from this group the breech position, a frequent indication for a cesarean delivery.

A cesarean delivery is no guarantee that the cervical spine was not mechanically strained. Depending on the length of the abdominal incision and the urgency of the operation, the child may have been pulled out forcefully. In most cases the cesarean delivery is at least less demanding on the suboccipital structures than a vaginal delivery.

Studies of the intracranial structures of apparently healthy newborns showed a high percentage of signs of microtrauma of brain stem tissues in the periventricular areas. It seems probable that the exposed structures of the occipito-cervical junction suffer at least as much as the cranium. Wischnik et a. have shown this in experimental studies of the biomechanics of delivery, as have others. The injury of the intracranial and subcranial structures is thus the rule, not the exception. The ability of most newborns to overcome and repair these lesions shows the enormous capacity of the not yet fully developed brain to cope with trauma at this stage.

The optimal development of the brain, which persists well beyond the 16th year, depends on adequate and consistent sensory input. The importance of proprioceptive unbalances for the efficient repair of cerebral lesions becomes evident.

http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymmt/article/PIIS0161475405000552/fulltext#section2

Birth trauma:

The birth process is a blend of compression, contractions, torques, and traction. When fetal size, presentation, or neurologic immaturity complicates this event, such intrapartum forces may lead to tissue damage, edema, hemorrhage, or fracture in the neonate. The use of obstetric instrumentation may further amplify the effects of such forces or may induce injury alone. Under certain conditions, cesarean delivery can be an acceptable alternative but does not guarantee an injury-free birth. Factors predisposing to injury include the following:

Prima gravida
Cephalopelvic disproportion, small maternal stature, maternal pelvic anomalies
Prolonged or rapid labor
Deep transverse arrest of descent of presenting part of the fetus
Oligohydramnios
Abnormal presentation (breech)
Use of midcavity forceps or vacuum extraction
Versions and extractions
Very low birth weight infant or extreme prematurity
Fetal macrosomia
Large fetal head
Fetal anomalies

Suboccipital Strain in Newborns

The upper cervical spine and atlanto-occipital junction have been identified in previous studies as being the cause of a diversity of clinical findings affecting the newborn infant. This month we review a study by Biedermann in which suboccipital strain is identified as causing a variety of signs and symptoms in a group of 114 young infants. The study, published in the Journal of Manual Medicine, not only identifies the signs and symptoms of the suboccipital strain syndrome, but also highlights the effectiveness of spinal adjustments in correcting the problem.1

Kinematic imbalances due to suboccipital strain, otherwise known as KISS syndrome, identifies the pathogenic potential of the craniovertebral junction to produce a constellation of clinical findings. From a group of 600 children, 114 were chosen for treatment and follow-up study. Their symptoms included restricted motion of the cervical spine, torticollis, cervical scoliosis, facial scoliosis, asymmetric muscle tone, retarded development of the hip joints, opisthotonos (retraction of the head and arching of the back, with infant unable to hold the head erect), deformities of the feet, restless sleep, and not eating or drinking well.

The most common findings were those of torticollis (head tilted to one side), scoliosis (sideways curve of the cervical spine), asymmetric muscle development, slow development of the hip joints and asymmetrical or slow development of motor skills.

The most common factors causing suboccipital strain were identified in the study as including intrauterine malposition of the fetus, the use of forceps or vacuum extraction during the birth process, prolonged labor and multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, etc.). The incidence of these risk factors in affected infants varied significantly from the established normal birth statistics.

According to the authors of this study, the pathogenic importance of asymmetric posture in infants and young children is often disregarded, with the condition either being dismissed as unimportant or not recognized at all.

All of the subjects in the study were treated by adjustments to either the atlanto-occipital or the atlanto-axial joints. According to the author, treating disturbances of the suboccipital joints and the cervical spine simplifies and shortens the course of the infant's problems, and significantly reduces the need for lengthy programs of physiotherapy. Furthermore, the indication for spinal manipulation in infants depends on first recognizing the clinical symptoms and then fitting them with the physical and radiological findings.

The researchers in this study relied on x-ray findings to accurately evaluate the alignment of the atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital joints. The radiological evaluation was used to help in identifying spinal malformations and as an aid in determining the most appropriate direction of manipulation.

KISS syndrome was defined primarily because of the inability to consistently identify fixations, or "blockages" in the atlanto-occipital region, as had been previously described by Gutmann in the 1960s. In many cases, KISS syndrome can be dealt with effectively by correcting the alignment and restoring lost movement to spinal vertebrae.

Several case reports are presented in the paper, the first of a four month old female infant born by Cesarian section. The mother was concerned that her daughter had difficulty controlling her head position and always slept on her right side. The left arm was used less frequently than the right. Upon examination, painful palpation was identified on the right upper cervical spine, with cervical flexion on the left being half that on the right. Follow-up after manipulation showed symmetrical development and normal sleep patterns.

Another report details the case of a five month old twin who suffered hypoxia at birth. At six weeks of age examination showed cervical scoliosis, hypomobility of the left arm, poor head control and asymmetry of the facial structures. Following manipulation, posture and mobility were symmetrical and the cervical scoliosis straightened.

A third report gives details of the case of a six month old female with inability to turn her head to the left and with a pronounced facial scoliosis. Handling the child was described as difficult as she often cried, her motor development was retarded and she had recurrent fever of unknown origin. A few hours after the first treatment she moved her head to the left. One month later her facial scoliosis was much less pronounced and her motor development was improved. Twelve months later no abnormalities were detected.

In this study, 29 infants were identified with congenital torticollis. In this condition, spasm or trauma to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) causes the newborn infant's head to tilt to one side. Frequently, in persistent cases, surgery to lengthen the SCM is the elective option. All but one the 29 infants with torticollis responded to manipulation of the upper cervical spine.

Identification of Suboccipital Strain

Identification of suboccipital strain requires careful palpation by a doctor experienced in the art of spinal examination. Initial indications can be increased pain or sensitivity of the suboccipitaland upper cervical spinal regions and/or restricted movements of the head and neck.

Subluxation of the atlas to the right, relative to the occiput, was a more frequent finding than was left atlas subluxation. This finding correlates with the studies of Jirout who also found the most common direction for atlas subluxation to be to the right.2 In 19 cases the main spinal asymmetry was found at C1-C2. In these patients, treatment at C1-C2 proved to be as effective as adjusting C0-C1.

Conclusion

Suboccipital strain is a leading factor in the conditions described. It can be relieved quickly and effectively by adjusting the cervical spine, in most cases, with one or two treatments. A frequent comment by parents was that their child ate better and slept better after the treatment.

References

Biedermann H. Kinematic imbalances due to suboccipital strain in newborns. J. Manual Med (1992) 6:151-156.
Jirout J. (1990) Roentgenologische Bewegungsdiagnostik der Halswirbelsaule. Fischer, Stuttgart.

Peter Fysh, DC

San Jose, California

Editor's Note: Dr. Fysh is currently conducting pediatric seminars. You may contact him at (408) 944-6000.

Dr D · June 6, 2008

Birth Trauma

<HR>by Elizabeth S. Anderson-Peacock, BSc, DC, DICCP

Birth is a normal biological process. It does not require management as a disease, but even a seemingly "uneventful" birth is stressful and traumatic for the mother and neonate. Pregnancy and birth have special significance for the chiropractor, as often the mother and child are exposed to harmful routine practices for which scientific investigation is poorly documented, or often not assessed for long-term effects on the fetus and the mother. With respect to the infant, the longer undetected dysfunction is allowed to continue in the developing nervous system and spine, the greater the potential to affect the patient.

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The following areas are important to address during pregnancy and birth to detect potential sources of fetal intrauterine stress prior to labor, stressing the passage of the fetus during labor, and management at the time of birth.

As subluxations are caused by trauma (micro or macro), chemical stress or toxicity and autosuggestion, it is important to evaluate exposure of the infant in these areas.

Exposure through maternal habits such as alcohol is well-documented with effects on brain growth and development, facial and cranial abnormalities, growth retardation, and fetal alcohol syndrome in as many as 3/1000 to 6/1000 births.1,2 Smoking is another insidious toxin. Whether the mother smokes or lives in a smoke-filled environment, the fetus is the receiver of the second-hand smoke. Evidence suggests lowered birth weight, increased prematurity, and an increased incidence of such problems as cleft lip/palate and limb reduction malformations.3

It has been my experience that many women take over-the-counter prescriptions without questioning their safety. The thinking is that since it is not prescribed, it will do little harm. It is important to educate all mothers that there is no drug which is 100 percent safe for the fetus as no one can clinically know the effects of all medications on a particular fetus.

Certain types of medications are well known to cause problems for the developing fetus. It might be recommended for mothers to read the fine print in a CPS, PDR or a safety data sheet. Again, remind the mother that the effects of medications are accentuated in the fetus. The safety of most prescription drugs have not bee studied or established in the fetus. The fetal effects will vary depending on the dosage, duration and time during gestation in which they were taken. It is well-documented that in the adult population, properly prescribed medications are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Only 10 percent of adverse reactions are estimated to be reported.4,5 as amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling. The type of preferred procedure varies depending on where you reside in the country. The rate of fetal spontaneous abortion through these procedures is 0.5 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.6

The Lancet reported in January 1998 that early prenatal testing increased the rates of abortions and birth defects. The routine use of ultrasound has caused some concern expressed in the research.7,8 In a NEJM paper, the use of ultrasound did not change the perinatal outcome in 15,151 low-risk pregnancies.9 Ultrasound has been found to be associated with delayed speech and dyslexia in children.10,11

In animal science research, equivalent amounts of ultrasound have been shown to cause frank demyelination in rats, cell growth pattern defects, long-term DNA effects and genetic changes.12,13,14

Electronic fetal monitoring has not undergone rigorous scientific study even though it is used in over 90 percent of hospitals. In one review, EFM has been shown not to change the incidence of neurological trauma and has increased the number of cesarean sections four-fold.15

Forceps and vacuum extraction are traumatic. Improperly applied location or pressure, practitioner inexperience and error can lead to trauma. Often, there is already difficulty with the delivery when their application is employed. Peripheral, phrenic and brachial plexus, dural tears and traction injuries are not uncommon.16-23

Internal fetal monitoring is by its nature traumatic, as sensors are attached in utero to the fetal skull to monitor the emerging infant's health status. Scalp abscess has been noted in as high as 5.4 percent and hemorrhaging in 44 percent.24

Episiotomies were performed in 61.9 percent of the deliveries in 1987. Two randomized studies have demonstrated no benefit for its routine use. Women who had midline episiotomies have been shown to have nearly 50 times more severe lacerations, and women who had mediolateral episiotomies were nearly eight times more likely to have severe lacerations than women who did not have one.25

A change in birth position was associated with a reduction in the need for episiotomy due to increased pelvic outlet size, greater relaxation of the perineal region and psoas relaxation.26,27

The use of epidurals has been shown to prolong labor by 1.3 hours and cause fever in the mother, which is then treated by antibiotics in both the mother and neonate.28

Prior to labor, the history of trauma to the mother is of importance. Older research performed on animals demonstrated abnormal gestation in mammals who had subluxations induced at the in sustaining pregnancy to full gestation.29

Squatting or kneeling postures are associated with more favorable neonatal outcomes. Home deliveries have been found to reduce neonatal stress, labor dystocia, meconium staining, maternal infection and postpartum hemorrhage.30-33

A June 1998 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health compared 3.9 million vaginal births delivered by midwives and physicians. A 19 percent reduction in infant mortality rate was reported by the midwives when compared to similar births attended by physicians. It was also found that neonatal mortality in the first 28 days was 33 percent lower if delivered by nurse midwives. The risk of delivering low birth weight babies was 31 percent lower among the midwives.

The ability for the sacrum and coccyx to move posteriorly during labor has integral importance to the labor and birth with passage of the fetus. Those with sacralization of L5 or a fused coccyx, congenital or traumatic anomaly of the pelvis may experience greater difficulty with delivery as the pelvis is less mobile.

The birth posture chosen has an influence on the stress of delivery. Cross-cultural evaluation has been performed on women with squatting, which has been shown to increase the diameter of the pelvic outlet, allow gravity to work with the delivery, free the movement of the sacrum, and allows the mother to bear down using the thighs and legs for resistance and deliver with less trauma than those who lay in a supine or semi-recumbent position.30-33

Maternal fitness and expectations will also have an impact on the mother's strength and endurance for delivery. A well-integrated nervous system with strong muscles working together and appropriately will aid in the rhythm established through the second stage of labor. A mother prepared through birth coaches (i.e., Bradley method or Doulas) and birthing techniques will have a prepared mental attitude for birth. In a report on the Bradley method, 96 percent of births are unmedicated, whereas only one percent of Lamaze prepared births were unmedicated.34

The maternal pelvis size and type (android, anthropoid, platypelloid) will have an effect on the birth canal size and shape and the forces encountered on the emerging head and spine. Gynecoid is the most favorable pelvis present in approximately half of females. The fetus should be in a longitudinal, vertex and flexed position. Neonates who are breech have a greater incidence of congenital hip dislocation, club foot and scoliosis, and are more likely to have cervicothoracic spinal trauma.20-24

In the event of twins, there will be a decrease in the available fetal moveable space, which increases the likelihood of malpresentation. Club foot and bent pinnae are examples of asymmetrical forces on the fetus, the greater the potential for aberrant growth and asymmetrical and damaging effects.

Observe or inquire regarding the neonatal head shape as an indicator of birth stress. The presence of cephalohematoma, caput succedaneum and ecchymosis are indicators of trauma. Large fetuses (or a small maternal pelvis) increase the chance for cephalopelvic disproportion and/or shoulder dystocia, which causes considerable stress to the fetus and can lead to increased traction injuries to the fetal brachial plexus, dural tears, phrenic nerve damage, clavicular fractures and spinal cord injuries.

Inquire regarding the neonatal presentation and duration of both the first and second stage of labor. This will provide valuable information of neonatal birth stresses during passage. Once labor begins, different forces are applied to the fetus through uterine contractions. An unfavorable lie or disorganized uterine contractions will stress the fetus, especially as the piston-like movement of the uterus meets resistance from the fetus meeting the pelvic floor. Should the fetus be in a brow or deflexed presentation, it will encounter stress to the forehead/face, abnormal head molding and cervical spine hyperextension trauma.

Birth trauma is estimated to be between the sixth to tenth leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S. It is under reported and often misdiagnosed.35,36,37

The implications to chiropractors are obvious if we wish to encourage patients to deal with the birth process with the least amount of interference to be proactive and informed. It also should encourage the wellness-oriented pediatric chiropractor to evaluate all pregnancies and children subsequent to birth. The long-term implications of birth are not fully known. However, birth history is significant, as demonstrated in a published report which compared types of suicides to birth trauma stress and postulated the effect due to imprinting. Of the adult suicides studied, those individuals who experienced suffocation deaths had a history of birth asphyxiation; those who died through violent mechanical death experienced mechanical birth trauma; and those who experienced drug addiction were associated with mothers who had opiate or barbiturate administration during labor.38

References

Larroque B, et al. Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and psychomotor development at preschool age. Amer J of Public Health Dec 1995; vol. 85(12):1654-1660.
Russell M, et al. Detecting risk drinking during pregnancy: a comparison of four screening questionnaires. Amer J of Public Health Oct 1996; vol. 86(10):1435-1439.
Kallin K. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and limb reduction 87(1):29-32.
Lazarou J, et al. Incidence of drug reactions in hospitalized patients: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. JAMA April 15, 1998; vol. 279(15):1200-1205.
Adverse drug reactions common among outpatients but rarely reported. Reuters, Chicago, May 4, 1998.
Miller, Callender. Obstetrics Illustrated, 4th edition. Churchill Livingstone, 1994; p. 106-115.
Haire D. Fetal effects of ultrasound: a growing controversy. Journal of Nurse Midwifery July/Aug 1994; vol. 29(4):241-246.
Taylor KJW. A prudent approach to ultrasound imaging of the fetus and newborn. Birth Dec 1990; vol. 17(4):218-222.
Ewigman BG, et al. Effect of prenatal screening on perinatal outcome. New England Journal of Medicine Sept. 16, 1993; vol. 329(12):822-827.
Campbell JD, et al. Case control study of prenatal ultrasoundography exposure in children with delayed speech. Can Med Assoc J 1993; vol. 149(10):1435-1440.
Stark CR, et al. Short and long term risks after exposure to diagnostic ultrasound in utero. Obstet Gynec 1984; vol. 63(2):194-200.
Ellisman MH, et al. Diagnostic levels of ultrasound may disrupt myelination exp. Neuro 1987; vol. 98(1):78-92.
Liebeskind D, et al. Sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes after exposure to diagnostic ultrasound. Science 1979; vol. 205(4412):1273-1275.
Liebeskind D, et al. Diagnostic ultrasound: effects on the DNA and growth patterns of animal cells. Radiology 1979; vol. 131(1):177-184.
Pelka F. Electronic fetal monitoring. Mothering Fall 1992;71-75.
Teng FY, Sayre JW. Vacuum extraction: does duration predict scalp injury? Obstet Gynecol 1997; vol. 89(2):281-285.
Hickey K, McKenna P. Skull fracture caused by vacuum extraction. Obstet Gynecol 1996; vol. 88(4, part 2):671-673.
Ross MG. Skull fracture caused by vacuum extraction. Obstet Gynecol 1997; vol. 89(2):3
fetal macrosomia and method of delivery. Obstet Gynecolo 986; vol. 68(6):784-788.
Byers RK. Spinal cord injuries during birth. Dev Med Child Neurol 1975; vol. 17(1):103-110.
Painter MJ, Bergman I. Obstetrical trauma to the neonatal central and peripheral nervous system. Seminars in Perinatology Jan 1982; vol. 6(1):89-104.
Abroms IF, et al. Cervical cord injuries secondary to hyperextension of the head in breech presentations. Obstetrics and Gynecol March 1973; vol. 41(3):369-378.
Fielding JW. Cervical spine injuries in children. Fractures and Dislocations; Pediatric Fractures, vol. 3, 2nd edition. Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, p. 422-427.
Curran JS. Birth associated injury. Clinics in Perinatology Feb. 1981; vol. 8(1):111-127.
Shiona P, et al. Midline episiotomies: more harm than good? Episiotomy and lacerations. Obstet and Gynecol May 1990; vol. 75(5):765-770.
Paciornik M. Commentary: arguments against episiotomy and in favor of squatting for birth. Birth 1990;17(2):104-105.
Borgatta L, et al. Association of episiotomy and delivery position with deep perineal laceration during spontaneous delivery in nulliparous women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989;160(2):294-297.
Lieberman E, et al. Epidural analgesia, intrapartum fever and neonatal sepsis evaluation. Pediatrics 1997;99(3):415-419.
Burns L. Vertebral lesions and the course of pregnancy in animals. J Am Osteop Assoc Nov 1993, vol. XXIII(3):155-157.
Gastaldo TD. Labor posture. Birth 1992;19(4):230.
Gardosi J, Hutson N. Randomized controlled trial of squatting in the second stage of labor. Lancet July 8, 1989;74-77.
Gardosi J, Sylvester S. Alternative positions in the second stage of labor: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Obstret Gynec 1989;6(11):1290-1296.
Mehl LE. Home delivery research today -- a review. Women's Health 1976;1(5):3-11.
McCutcheon-Rosegg S. Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. 1984; New York, Penguin Books, p. 7-13. musculoskeletal injuries stemming from birth trauma. JMPT 1993; vol. 16(8):537-543.
Faix RG, Donn SM. Immediated management of the traumatized infant. Clinics in Perinatology 1983; vol. 10(2):487-505.
Dickman CA, et al. Pediatric spinal trauma: vertebral column and spinal cord injuries in children. Pediatric Neurosci 1989; vol. 15:237-256.
Jacobson B, et al. Perinatal origin of adult self-destructive behavior. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1987; vol. 76:364-371.

Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock, BSc, DC, DICCP

Dr D · June 6, 2008

The Psychology of Vaccine Injury Awareness

Recently I had the good fortune to be invited as a panel member to the Autism Conference in upper Michigan, along with Dr Ed Yazbak and Dr Boyd Haley. The conference was a grassroots event, organized by a local group of parents of autistic kids. It was promoted to the general public.

What brought these people together was the growing suspicion that the local medical authorities might be trying to cover up the reasons why an enormous percentage of their local children were turning out autistic – a proportion obviously far higher even than the estimated national average of 1 child in 150.

As I took the stage to begin my presentation and looked out into the audience, it suddenly occurred to me to ask for a show of hands: how many of you people in this room have an autistic child? I was momentarily speechless when I saw almost every hand go up. It took me so off guard that I did not realize until several days later what I was looking at – the significance of all those hands being raised.

The first thing that dawned on me was the likelihood that what this community was experiencing was the living consequence of one or more hot lots.

As I explain in the new 11th edition of The Sanctity of Human Blood, vaccines are produced in batches, called lots. A lot may comprise anywhere from 20,000 to 700,000 doses, or more. Certain lots cause an unusual number of reactions and deaths. These are called hot lots. Some sources define hot as a lot which has more than 2 deaths or 10 serious adverse reactions, but others assign no set number.

So what we were looking at here in this small backwoods community was very likely the textbook example of hot lot damage. Of course it will never be investigated – there is no government agency responsible for following up on the consequences of even those lots that have been verified as contaminated. In this case no one is even suggesting it, because the locals never heard of hot lots.

The other thing that will never happen is the calculation of the actual ratio of autistics to normal children in this community. With 1 child in 150 as the accepted national average, in this community the true number could really be 1 in 50 or even 1 in 25. No one’s tracking it. No reason to, because even if it were proven, there is no law that would force the manufacturer to withdraw the hot lot. No manufacturer has ever withdrawn a hot lot, even a verified one.

But my second realization was even sadder: vaccines are recommended for the entire childhood population. Overwhelming scientific evidence now exists of their potential for permanent neurological and developmental damage – these sources are carefully evaluated in my new book. Yet the only parents who are interested in learning about their kids’ chances of vaccine injury seem to be those whose lives have already been directly affected, usually as the result of permanent damage to their own child. When it’s too late, they study it. Or as Sascha Sarnov says, the child goes to sleep as the parent wakes up.

This is certainly the case for most of the researchers and activists in the vaccine awareness arena – personal tragedy in their own family motivated them to research and publish. Just like Congressman Dan Burton, the organizer of the Congressional hearings into vaccine damage – he has an autistic grandson. But that’s how humans are – why should we worry about something that doesn’t affect us?

The answer to that question is that today your chances being affected by vaccine damage are too high for parents to simply ignore. As Mark Geier has shown, 1 child in six today in the US has a neurodevelopmental disorder. That is an astounding indictment: 1 child in six.

As far as autism is concerned, no one really knows how extensive that epidemic is. What is known is that between 1993 and 2004 there was an average increase in autism of 1300% across the US. At present there are at least 1 million autistic children in the US, but it is completely possible that the actual number might be over 2 million. Not only is no government office making an effort to find an accurate count, but on the contrary, there is a systematic effort to cover up the actual figures and data and to publish only those studies which confirm the approved mantra, namely that there can be no possible connection with vaccines, etc.

Upon discovering that their child is autistic, parents often go through five psychological phases:

1. Denial

2. Dawning awareness

3. Anger

4. Guilt

5. Acceptance

These phases are not universal, nor are they always separate and distinct, but most parents experience them in some form or other.

Phase One, the Not My Kid phase, is characterized by a disbelief either in the disease itself, or that the condition will be permanent in their child.

Phase Two, awareness begins to dawn that the child will not learn any more words, and will gradually withdraw and deteriorate mentally.

Phase Three, anger that no one told them about the dangers of vaccines.

Phase Four, the parents blame themselves for not taking the trouble to inform themselves about a defect that has taken away their child’s chances of a normal life, a tragedy that they could have avoided.

Phase Five, the inevitable acceptance that the child is truly autistic, which is not necessarily followed by a lifetime commmitment to daily care, due to the enormous forces now at work to destroy the family because of the amount of time and money that autistics require.

As we look more closely at vaccines, we find that autism is not the only danger. The shocking increase in the number of vaccines since 9/11, the ingredients, culturing techniques, the sharp increase in childhood cancer and diabetes, the rising percentage of state moneys now devoted to learning disabilities and other defects, the nature of the economic motivators behind the scenes – these are some of the issues that the responsible parent should know about before blindly submitting to the Well Baby Program. To obtain all one’s information about vaccines from the same people who make a living selling them may not be the best idea to keep the child out of harm’s way.

Parents today must protect their child from all threats, from any quarter. And the only way to do that is to do a little homework.

The new 11th edition of The Sanctity of Human Blood is a careful collection of the best science available today that looks very objectively at this issue. Every fact, every statistic that is stated in each paragraph is meticulously documented and referenced. The book focuses more on what the scientists who manufacture vaccines say about them rather than what the sales personnel claims.

This new book is the easiest way for the parent to begin to find out what the real issues are behind all the controversy over vaccines today.

Dr D · June 6, 2008

The Sanctity of Human Blood: Vaccination I$ Not Immunization

Below are a few short excerpts from the new 12th edition.

THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN BLOOD

Vaccination I$ Not Immunization -- Twelfth Edition

Introduction

Throughout history, vast fortunes have been created by setting up the economic and political infrastructure for violating the bloodstream with some drug or stimulant. Opium, sugar, alcohol, coffee, tea, hashish, tobacco, cocaine, vaccines, synthetic estrogen, excess antibiotics, unnecessary pharmaceuticals have all taken their turn at bat.

There are at least two sides to the vaccination controversy. One side we see all the time, in newspapers, magazines, and on TV. The other side takes a little digging to uncover, but it’s there nevertheless. When the reader has begun to do a little research, one plain fact will come into focus: all this information can’t be true. Someone is definitely very wrong.

The startling reality is that opposition to vaccines today is not coming from the holistic arena; it's coming from mainstream science, medicine, and law. This book draws from that data.

The condition of a child’s blood determines the quality of an immune system that has to last a lifetime. The blood is the medium in which all the cells of the body are bathed, from birth til death. The amounts of oxygen and nutrients in the blood promote life, determine longevity. Anything foreign - chemicals, altered bacteria and viruses, toxic foods, unproven injectables - promotes death. It’s that simple.

Children have a right to be protected from harm. If there’s a huge body of information that is saying vaccinations are dangerous, and another huge body of information saying that vaccines are safe, we have a responsibility to look at the evidence on each side, instead of just bowing to hollow rhetoric.

The external environment can only access the blood in three ways: through the skin, the lungs, and the digestive tract. Each has its own set of safeguards which have allowed our species to adapt within a changeful and hostile environment. Throughout the evolutionary process, Nature has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect the blood from the outside environment. If Nature itself has recognized and defended the sanctity of human blood, can we presume to do any less?

Money and vaccines 6

History of vaccines: Edward Jenner 8

Smallpox 12

Smallpox post 9/11 21

Pasteur and the Germ Theory 29

Formaldehyde and aluminum 37

Antigen/antibody 38

Natural vs. artificial immunity 39

How many vaccinations? 50

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 56

Mercury Decline of diseases before vaccinations 58

Polio 66

Diphtheria 72

Pertussis 73

Tetanus 75

Measles 89

Mumps 92

Rubella 93

Hemophilus influenzae 94

Flu shots 97

Hepatitis A 99

Hepatitis B 106

Chickenpox 110

Rotavirus 113

Pediarix 119

Autism 121

Mercury 130

Prevnar 149

HPV vaccine 152

The coming AIDS vaccine 160

SARS 175

Gulf War Syndrome 180

Doctors who don’t vaccinate 190

Exemption Laws 193

Pet Vaccines 196

Travel vaccines 196

New vaccines 199

References 205

Epilogue 223

A fearsome battle is lining up today in our brave new world. It’s as though we’re being forced to draw the line to a new threat - an assault on the blood of our children. This is not just a figure of speech. New vaccines are being invented every year, all with the same hope - to be included in the mandated Immunization Schedule. It’s very big money. Today we’re up to 68 vaccines mandated for use before a child is eighteen years old. Our infant mortality rate and the health of our children are appalling. The incidence of both infectious diseases and degenerative diseases among adult Americans is skyrocketing.

Declining health among school children is obvious. Ritalin, Prozac, antidepressants, and inhalers are rampant in our schools. Despite the highest intake of antibiotics and vaccines of any group of children in history, our kids are fatter, sicker, and dumber than ever before.

... ix OPTING OUT

A growing number of medical researchers and doctors disagree with the present vaccinations that children are required to get. [317, 289] Many parents are opting out by signing exemption forms. They’re drawing the line. They’re saying, if nothing else is sacred in this world, at least the blood of our children should not be subject to the whims of politics and big money. The sanctity of human blood. That bloodstream should only be violated in life-threatening situations. And never with anything experimental or unproven or dangerous.

Most of what is written about the subject insists that vaccines are safe, effective, and necessary. We hear how modern civilization has been saved from the ravages of infectious disease by the intervention of miraculous vaccines. We hear how important it is for children to get their shots so they’ll be safe from disease, etc. We keep hearing about new vaccines that are supposedly necessary to defend against for new diseases.

Two opposite opinions. How can both be right? These aren’t simply two differing opinions on medical philosophy. These are two conflicting views on the nature of biological reality. Even though both sides often get very shrill, emotional, and unscientific, such a chasm widens between them that it’s quite baffling.

Either vaccines are essential for our continued health and safety or vaccines are weakening and poisoning our children.

... IMMUNITY: NATURAL VS. ARTIFICIAL

Here’s an important distinction to keep in mind: when a child gets a new disease, his newly forming immune system switches on. He may feel sick for several days, to one degree or another, but in the vast majority of cases, as the following charts show, he is going to recover. If the body is allowed to figure out how to fight the disease on its own, without the added confusion and burden of powerful drugs and vaccines, the body will not be susceptible to that disease in the future, for life. Now it has an immunity to that disease - a memory of how to fight it. When the body acquires such memory on its own, with no drugs, we have natural immunity. The body now has a new, permanent weapon to protect itself from unfriendlies in the environment. This is why unvaccinated kids only get chickenpox once in their lives. The more weapons the body is allowed to create on its own, the less susceptible it will be to environmental stressors and diseases as an adult.

Natural immunity can be transferred from a mother to the fetus.

Natural immunity is the only true immunity. It only happens after being exposed to the disease.

Artificial immunity, by contrast, means that the symptoms of the disease were artificially suppressed by means of drugs or vaccines. The nasal sprays and cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories allowed the foreign agent to get much deeper into the body than it otherwise might have gone, because the coughing and runny nose are basic clearing mechanisms to repel invaders. Doctors who pretend that the cough and the nasal congestion are the disease overlook the underlying cause.

“This suppression of symptoms prevents the body… from discharging what needs to come out…” (James, p 42) [166]

With vaccines, a manmade version of the disease bug is injected into the bloodstream. The theory is that the body will produce antibodies to this weakened version, and ever after, those antibodies will be able to recognize and overwhelm the disease bugs if they ever show up again.

Such immunity is artificial, which really means inexact, because the vaccine is giving the body some sort of immunity not to the naturally occurring disease, but to an artificial, shotgun version that chemists created in a lab.

Vaccines are the same for thousands and millions of doses. But each person’s immune system and also the particular way a disease may occur in people - both these are unique. A flawed design from the get-go.

Artificial immunity cannot be passed from mother to fetus.

Artificial immunity is temporary.

Artificial immunity carries a very high chance of reinfection later on. This is the reason for the unproven modern concept of

booster shots. (Murphy) [182]

Artificial immunity from vaccinations has created the modern phenomenon of new atypical forms of the original disease appearing during adulthood, which can be much more serious and dangerous. As in adult measles.

... Mass vaccination - creating new diseases

No one ever talks about how these brand new atypical disease forms may be a threat to someone who has natural immunity by getting the original disease. Before mass vaccinations, the human species was building herd immunity to all the infectious diseases, to one degree or another. But that took 200,000 years. Consider this: the baby boomer who got measles as a child and who now has lifetime immunity, may not be immune to the new manmade atypical adult forms of measles. Why not? Because the atypical form has only been around for less than 30 years, whereas measles has been around for centuries. Just like with too many antibiotics causing superbugs, vaccination is creating new diseases. Is that progress?

...

HOW MANY ARE ENOUGH?

At 68 vaccines presently given to the most vaccinated children in the history of the world, you'd think the manufacturers would be content with the Golden Goose the way it is. They're not. Legitimate scientific questions such as the overall effect of the total viral load from all these shots, the combinations of vaccines given in one shot, or on the same day - these concerns are never raised, never funded for study. What 'science' is concerned with is more, more, how much more, and how soon.

In the post 9/11 world where there is rarely an outcry about any new edicts, the vaccine floodgates are open wide. Look at this chart of total vaccines on the Mandated Schedule in recent years:

2003 40 vaccines

2004 53 vaccines

2005 58 vaccines

2006 63 vaccines

2007 68 vaccines

...

INFANTS ARE NOT MINIATURE ADULTS

Another idea that is never talked about is the size of an infant in comparison to the toxicity of a vaccine. Again, from Dr Boyd Haley:

“A single vaccine given to a 6 pound newborn is the same as giving a 180-lb adult 30 vaccines on the same day.” [73]

Treating the infant circulatory system like any other market, cavalierly applying sky‘s-the-limit corporate positioning principles, no one is asking the most fundamental question:

...

HOW MANY CAN THEY TAKE?

Hard on the heels of the post 9/11 vaccine hysteria, with its provocative godknowswhat terrorist bioweapons about to be unleashed, we saw an astounding article in the Jan 2002 issue of the journal Pediatrics, that offered us a preview of science for the near future. On p 124 the authors reassure parents not to worry that their children are getting too many vaccines these days. It's OK because they've just found out that an infant can safely withstand 10,000 vaccines! Just by chance the article is authored by a member of the CDC Advisory Board, Paul Offit. [96]

...

EPILOGUE

Don't miss the point of this book. It's not that vaccines don't work, or that vaccines don't do anything. Vaccines certainly do have an effect on the immune system. And they can temporarily delay the onset of some diseases. But we don’t want to delay mild childhood diseases that have always been part of human immune development. The other problem is that with vaccines such effects happen in a random, unpredictable, inconsistent fashion. Vaccines simply do not do what they are said to do. Experimental as they are, loaded with toxic additives and attenuated pathogens, the primary effect of vaccines on the immune system must be described as immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive. This has little to do with conferring immunity or improving overall health.

I know what you're thinking: how could this perfidious state of affairs be true and so few of us know anything about it?

...

To answer such a simple question as this, we must look outside the canned media fare that is offered to us on a daily basis. The chapter entitled The Doors of Perception [302] is an introduction to the history of media. We find out about the criteria for whether a news story gets carried or not. Are we to imagine that nothing of importance took place in the entire world during all that coverage of 9/11, Afghanistan, Saddam, Iraq, bird flu, Michael Jackson, or gay marriage? I mean think about it – what was really going on while we were being distracted by all those boatloads of wasted ink? What is really being covered up?

Same now with the Middle East situation. What do we know about what's really transpired over there, or about what led up to the current positioning.

Conventional wisdom on most subjects is programmed through the assiduous scientific efforts of the most sophisticated PR firms in history, who specialize in the installation of the opinions and values of their clients onto the public hard drive. They create public opinion. Their clients? The multinationals: the companies who have built civilizations, and who have thereby been involved in global pollution by drugs and chemicals for the past two centuries. The companies with the money, enough money for five years of full page ads in every glossy magazine. Enough money to control the content of articles printed in newspapers, popular magazines and in professional journals, and to make paid advertisements look like hard news stories. Enough money to bring about new legislation. Enough money to dictate medical education. Enough money to make rational discourse obsolete. ..

Maybe you're asking how can doctors, drug companies, and the government allow a vaccine program to continue that is without a doubt killing children, causing permanent injuries, and offering no proof of effectiveness? This is a much larger question. To have any hope of its being answered, we have to somehow come to the realization, without hysteria or paranoia, through much study and research, of one unpleasant fact: man’s enormous capacity for evil. And we have to confront some uncomfortable demons about human nature, the power of money, and the extent to which those in power will go in order to keep this river of gold flowing...

The Secret tells only half the story, although it is the half that usually gets left out. Of course it’s true that whatever you think about, you bring about, and that thought creates reality, and that focusing on positive, uplifting concepts will bring positive, uplifting events into your life. That’s from the Higher self, the divine spark, the part of human nature that is generous and spiritual and altruistic and sympathetic to human suffering - the angel half of the strange species homo sapiens. Unfortunately, the demonic half of human nature is just as real and just as powerful. And historically, benevolent leadership and humanitarian regimes have been the rare exception. Brute force, domination of the weak, intimidation, and the science of lying – these are what runs the powerful nations, and what fashions a people’s value system. Turning away from understanding evil in the world just because it’s unpleasant ultimately assures its triumph. ...

What do the purveyors of sickness and death look like? Monsters and devils, horror and darkness? Hardly. These people are often gracious, with social aplomb. They have perfected the packaging of sickness degeneration and death by wrapping it in hope, health, youth, and vitality. This well-crafted illusion is designed to steal our money, steal our time, burn away our precious life, and give us unnatural values.

Shall we overlook all we have learned in this book because it offends our sensibilities about positive thinking? No. There must be a

balance. To have good we must be aware of the evil; to strive for salubrious government health policies we must learn about some of the Machiavellian ones in place; to have glowing good health we must be aware of what brings ill health. And to resist the programming of the most powerful information machine in history, we must learn how it works. That is the final area that we may truly claim as personal and private, not subject to mind-numbing control by corporate mantras - our ability to form opinions based on our own intelligent powers of discrimination, instead of just sitting back and absorbing the comfortable programming. But we have to do the work.

Ultimately the defense of a child's bloodstream resides with the parent. Knowing what the reader now knows about the way in which decisions are made about how a vaccine gets mandated in children's bloodstreams - what can we reasonably expect from a body of legislators controlled by the biggest of the special interest lobbies? Do we rely on them for sound judgment about what is to be injected into the most delicate and sensitive medium in the universe – the formative human circulatory system? Confronted with the above evidence about payoffs, deals, conflicts of interest rife within the regulatory agencies, do we really want to grant access to the bloodstream to such as these?

Real protection has to begin with information - sound information, not propaganda. With vaccines, we must learn about the ingredients, the culture media, the testing involved, the politics and economics involved, the actual anatomy and physiology of infants. And the information must come not only from those making their living selling vaccines.

Human health does not come from a drug or a vaccine or an insurance company. A healthy baby needs no outside assistance, no tampering with the blood. The mysteries of health lie within the body, not within the medical texts, or the writs of law.

Pure, uncontaminated human blood is indeed a sacred commodity. We will arrive at a position of profound gratitude when we finally appreciate the identity, the oneness, the nobility of an inviolate bloodstream.

CORRECTIONS:

In the section on HPV vaccine beginning on p. 152, footnote [247] should read [260], referring to the Merck Manual.

On p 154, footnote [149] should read [167].

Dr D · June 6, 2008

Autism and Vaccines

Perhaps one of the most shocking pieces ever to appear on television was a six-hour taping of a Congressional investigation into the relationship between vaccines and autism among American children. In April 2000, this footage appeared on C-SPAN and was then archived on their website for an entire month.

On April 6, 2000, Rep. Dan Burton convened the Congressional hearing in which parent after parent told very similar stories - how their normally developing babies had suddenly reversed their development soon after the MMR vaccination, or the DPT shots. The children spiraled downward into the vegetable-like existence of autistic behavior, a condition which is usually permanent. Happy, bright children suddenly can no longer learn or communicate, or recognize their parents.

Amazing testimony was given by experts in the field of autism:

Mary Megson MD explained how autism has gone from being an unknown in 1978, with an incidence of 1 in 10,000 at that time, to an epidemic in 2000 AD, in which the incidence is in the range of 1 case in every 300 - 500 in many areas! Megson's research has shown total deficiency of vitamin A in almost all autistic children. What depletes the body of vitamin A at 15 months? Right - the MMR vaccine. In addition, Megson found that pertussis toxin from the DPT shot disrupted a certain protein that is necessary for retinal formation. This would account for the prevalence of night blindness and loss of 3D vision so common among autistics.

John O'Leary, PhD a world class researcher and molecular biologist from Ireland, using state of the art sequencing technology, showed how he had found measles virus in the gut of 96% of autistic children, compared to 6.6% of normal children. This virus did not come from the natural disease; it came from the measles vaccine. In addition, Dr. O'Leary found measles virus present in 75% of children with Crohn's Disease. Crohn's has traditionally been an intestinal disease of adults, following years of dietary abuse. Its appearance in children is a new event, and Dr. O'Leary's work points to measles virus from vaccines as the likely cause.

V. Singh, MD, a specialist from Utah State who has studied over 400 cases of autism, found that these children had experienced an autoimmune episode, in which their own body has been made to attack the lining of the nervous system. Dr. Singh characterizes the epidemic as a "hyperimmune response to the measles virus." He stated that 55% of the families said that autism appeared soon after an MMR shot, and that 33% of families said it appeared soon after a DPT shot. Such neurologic damage is a well-established side effect of the mercury, aluminum, and formaldehyde used in these vaccines.

Andrew Wakefield MD, a brilliant researcher from the UK, noted an almost 100% incidence of "lymphoid nodular hyperplasia" or swollen lumps throughout the intestinal tissue of autistics. Such a condition is rare in normal children. Intestinal pathology is characteristic of the autistic child, and the condition generally follows soon after the MMR shot. Dr. Wakefield explained that as the fragile, newborn intestine cannot function because of its swollen condition, undigested toxins from vaccines and drugs are allowed to get into the liver, which is also in a formative stage. Liver pathology is very common among autistics. Wakefield's hypothesis is that these same "undegraded toxins," having not been halted by the intestine or the liver, as normally happens, that these toxins are then free to attack the nervous system, and that autism may well be the result.

Kathy Pratt, PhD, director of the Indiana Center for Autism, stated that 1/400 children in Indiana were now autistic! With 500,000 cases now reported in the U.S., Dr Pratt stated that autism is now more common than Downs Syndrome. Dr. Pratt points out that autism presently may disqualify a person for medical coverage for other, unrelated conditions.

Michael Goldberg, MD, a California pediatrician and researcher, explained how it was impossible to have an epidemic based solely on genetics. That's the standard excuse the CDC and the NIH have been using to explain how autism has grown from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 300 in just 22 years.

Seeing the American democratic system in action in a real live Congressional hearing, it soon becomes apparent how the control of information operates, even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence that we may well be poisoning our own children.

The requisite defenders of the status quo robotically read their predictable prepared statements, denying the possibility of any connection between autism and vaccines. These included Paul Offit, MD, Edwin Cook, MD, Brent Taylor, MD, and others. After they uniformly denied the vaccine/autism connection, it was most illuminating when Burton point-blank asked each one of them about the money each receives from the vaccine manufacturers. And these are members of the Advisory Committee - that's who makes the decision about which vaccines are to be included in the mandated vaccination schedule.

Colleen Boyle was there to represent the Centers for Disease Control. After stumbling through her prepared statement in which she denied any connection between autism and vaccines, Boyle stated the present incidence to be "12 in 10,000." Burton then stopped her cold by asking her one simple question: did she think it was a conflict of interest for the same people who were funded by the vaccine manufacturers to be on the Advisory Board, making decisions about which vaccines should be given to American children. Boyle was dumbfounded; speechless. Burton repeated the question. Still no answer. Boyle's mute portrayal of the career bureaucrat spoke volumes about the whole House of Cards. Burton had asked The Question that was never asked.

Equally inept and ill-prepared was Deborah Hirtz, MD, representing the National Institutes of Health. Losing her place in her written statement, Hirtz actually forgot what she was saying, and it seemed obvious she had not written it herself. Finally, she just barely managed to put across what she was sent there to say - that there could be no connection between vaccines and Autism, but that the NIH was "looking into it."

Looking into it. The NIH has already spent up to $40 million per year of taxpayer money "looking into it." (Hirtz) Their answer, after 5 years: It needs further study. The performance of these representatives from the two government agencies who have almost sovereign power in the area of vaccines was frightening - their indifference, their lack of information, their condescension, and their low level of intelligence. They gave no sign of having understood one word of the critically important breakthrough research that had just been so brilliantly expounded by Drs. Megson, O'Leary, and Wakefield. This is what power looks like - people who have been in their position so long that they know they don't have to justify themselves to anyone lower down on the food chain.

Government agencies have the same answer to every problem: more committees. More money, more study, more meetings. Meanwhile, 22 years have gone by, and all these people say is "we don't know." After 22 years and $10 million, we don't know the incidence, the cause, or the cure for autism, which is now afffecting as many as one in 400 children. . But we'll definitely look into it. And, oh yes, it's definitely not vaccines.

The shocking scientific findings of Wakefield and O'Leary obviously demand more research. So then, why are the vaccines not suspended until that research is done? The underlying assumption is that the vaccines will continue as normal until enough "research" proves it is dangerous, as with rotavirus and Quadrigen. Only then will MMR be suspended. This is the thinking that passes as logic. The key point here that no one seems to be noticing is that research should be done BEFORE mandating a vaccine into the bloodstream of American children. You don't just start mass injecting something into a population and then stand back and defy independent scientists to prove it isn't safe. That's exactly what we've done here.

As a nation, as a government, and as parents, Americans should be very certain, beyond a reasonable doubt, that any substance being injected into an unformed little nervous system is absolutely safe and does no harm. That is the minimum requirement. Drs. Wakefield, O'Leary, and Megson have shown startling results from some of the only scientific research on autism and vaccines in the entire world that has not been funded by the vaccine manufacturers. And this research shows a high likelihood that MMR and DPT vaccines may cause permanent intestinal destruction, liver damage, and autism. It also presents a very plausible hypothesis for the horrific increase of autism since 1978. So until we know for certain if they're right, why are the vaccines not suspended?

Gary Null's pert answer comes swimming to the surface; "It's the Money, Stupid."

By the end of the hearing, Burton's room was polarized into three groups:

* those who were convinced of a connection between autism and vaccines

* those who admitted the possibility

* those who angrily denied the possibility, affronted that anyone would question their "scientific" opinions

It was amusing to see which people in the room were trying to discover the truth and which were trying their best to cover it up.

Despite Burton's heroic efforts to bring these matters into public view, it's an uphill struggle. The big money's on the side of vaccines. Big money controls research, the press, "scientific" journals, and politicians. Seeing all these forces clash together in one room in just six hours has been the most instructive display of confusing the issues perhaps since the OJ trial. Watching a live Congressional hearing like this, it soon becomes clear that for them, the real priority isn't necessarily finding the truth, but rather showing who's really in charge here. The viewer begins to understand how autism could have gone from being unknown in 1978 to being a household word in just 22 years with so little fanfare.

Without undue pessimism, the prospects for unbiased, objective scientific logic to prevail in deciding the future of MMR and DPT vaccines do not look bright. The mentality of the CDC and the NIH was well characterized in this videotape. The control of research and information by drug manufacturers was pervasive. Burton's co-chairman, Henry Waxman, did his best to divert attention from the issues to himself, to waste time on "points of order," and to prevent anyone who disagreed with him from being heard. Waxman's science champion, researcher Brent Taylor, MD has recently had an article published in Lancet that supposedly shows no possible connection between vaccines and autism. Now Taylor has refused to provide his data for the study when repeatedly asked by other researchers, like Dr. Bernard Rimland. Such a request is standard, and researchers commonly share their data when requested, unless they have something to hide. Taylor's combination of fear and arrogance is characteristic of the way that research, and ultimately, decision-making on vaccines by the Advisory Committee - this is the way it works. The researchers who have unlimited funding may 'prove' whatever they wish, get it published in the best journals, which are heavily advertised in by the drug companies, and then refuse to respond to valid objections, because they know that those opposing points of view will probably not be published.

Despite these formidable obstacles, doubts are creeping into the overall public "consciousness" from many different directions about the safety of vaccines. At 1 in 500, the fact of autism as an epidemic can no longer be covered up. The work of Wakefield, O'Leary, and Megson is going to be very difficult to explain away. The massive advertising campaign about the safety of vaccines in the popular media, which is certain to be stepped up in the next few months, is going to look very hollow in the light of clean, unbiased research that is not funded by parties who stand to make billions from certain pre-determined results.

References

Chairman: Representative Dan Burton Government Reform Committee Hearing on Vaccines and Autism c-span.org April 6, 2000

Hirtz, D Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform National Institutes of Health April 6, 2000

Megson, M MD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform American Academy of Pediatrics April 6, 2000

Wakefield, A, MD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Royal Free University College Medical School April 6, 2000

O'Leary, J, PhD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Coomb's Women's Hospital, Dublin April 6, 2000

Singh, V, PhD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Utah State University April 6, 2000

Boyle, C, MD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform National Institutes of Health April 6, 2000

Offit, P, MD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Univ. of Pennsylvania April 6, 2000

Taylor, B MD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Royal Free University College Medical School April 6, 2000

Rimland, B, PhD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Autism Research Institute, San Diego April 6, 2000

Goldberg, M, MD Testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform NIDS Research Institute April 6, 2000

Reprints of above references available from Office of Government Reform, Washington, DC

(202) 225- 2276

Videotape available from c-span.org

Dr D · June 6, 2008

Parents of Unvaccinated Children

After speaking with so many parents around the world who have not vaccinated their children, my standard question is always: How does the health of your child compare with that of your friends' vaccinated children? One hundred percent of the time I would get the same response: Are you kidding? My child is so much healthier, my child almost never gets sick, my child is bright, alert, no learning problems, etc. Over and over again, always the same response - the unvaccinated child is reported as much healthier than the vaccinated children.

So it became obvious that a list might be helpful to see how common such a phenomenon might be. Yes, yes I know - of course this list is anecdotal and does not attempt to masquerade itself as a controlled randomized study. I didn't get a million dollar kickback from a major drug company in order to make it. But I mean, what if this list is an accurate reflection of a very significant determinant in the child's health - vaccines. And it's really as widespread and as clear as this list suggests. Who would tell us? The FDA? CDC? NIH? Your pediatrician? I don't think so.

The point is - it's possible. .

To be on this list, the undersigned are stating that they meet three criteria:

1. They are parents of an unvaccinated child

2. The child's health is exceptionally good.

3. The child is in apparently better health than that of their friends' vaccinated kids.

A number in parentheses indicates more than 1 unvaccinated child.

If you'd like to get on this list, kindly send in an E-mail.

LIST OF PARENTS OF UNVACCINATED CHILDREN

Drs Mark & Vera Flannery

Simi Valley

2helpinghands@earthlink.net

Jennifer Slauenwhite

Maple Ridge

British Columbia

jslauen@telus.net

The Bilich Family (2)

Long Island NY

jdshuz@aol.com

Guony Halla

Buland, Iceland

buland@emax.is

Akiva and Liora Pearlman

Beijing, China

lioracc@ayhoo.com

Please add to list of unvaccinated children. My child will be 10 years old next month and has never ever had colic ear infections fevers and a host of other problems that vaccinated children endure.

Renee

Parent of unvaccinated child

mzrenee@aol.com

Dr Michele Krohn

Dublin OH

DrKrohn@aol.com

Michele and Brian Fancher (2)

Quantico, Virginia

fanchersfour@hotmail.com

Daniel & Fae Dollin

Twickenham, UK

dollinfamily@talktalk.net

Jeff and Susan Geoghan (2)

Lancaster, PA

geoghan@publicsquare.us

Rachel Lipovec

Chardon, Ohio 44024

shaleen hiebert i'm from salt lake city, utah

[girl4unu@hotmail.com]

Ruth & Alan Smith

Hebden Bridge

West Yorkshire

United Kingdom

E-mail: ramos.smith@virgin.net

TR and Heather Barritt (3)

Pennsylvania

barritt0626@yahoo.com

Alyson and Langston Richardson (3)

San Francisco, CA

langstonrichardson@mac.com

Steve and Tina Zadravecz

Orange County, CA 92694

drz@drzspa.com

Jarrod and Jessica Truesdale (3)

Rio Rancho NM

jjtrues04@yahoo.com

Dr Michael and Angela Zolper

Baraboo,WI (3)

[drzolper@centurytel.net]

Scott & Carrie Alberson

Elk Grove Village, IL

swalberson@sbcglobal.net

Monique Kendell

Ontario, Canada

nikiflight@sympatico.ca

drtim@swifthealthchiropractic.com

Dr. Tim G. Swift

Stephanie Swift (2)

Orange County California 92672

Dr. Brad and Beth James

Elk Grove, CA (9 children)

chiropractorineg@aol.com

Holly and Kolby Wolfley (2)

Renton, WA

saviors_saint@yahoo.com

7 (seven) children, all UNVACINNATED and healthy...

Dr Frank A & Dotty Smith

Murrysville PA

DRFAS2@aol.com

Frank A Smith DC

Murrysville PA

DRFAS3@aol.com

Chris Burley ND

Surrey KT20 7TJ

England

Email: chris@cburley.net

Keith and Camisha Noble

Arizona

[camishanoble@bellsouth.net]

Ross and Julia Johnston (4)

Julia@juiceplusmommy.com

Dave Merino [submerino@gmail.com]

STATEN ISLAND NEW YORK.....

The Webber Family (2)

Bothell, WA

[dbrady44@comcast.net]

Christine Ewton

Florida

question_vaccines@comcast.net

Beth Reyes (2)

california

azrmom2001@yahoo.com

Dr. Joseph & Lynn Dube

Ontario, Canada

Coffey family

coffeyfamily@cableone.net

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Jason and Andrea Cerutti (2)

Marlton, NJ

Rudy34@comcast.net

April Linkroum

Hillsborough, NJ

nonilink@aol.com

Mark & Kate Schroder (2 of 4) Clarence, NY khs2361@acninc.net

John & Karen Pecora

Lake Elsinore, CA

JKPecora@msn.com

Jaguneruku & Christi Rimes (3)

Tonica, Illinois

jrimes@suminet.net

Julie Watters

Tucson, AZ

mauijules@medscape.com

Lori & Alan Campbell (2)

Colorado

lorilori58@hotmail.com

David and Dr.Michelle Hallam (3)

Lake Tahoe, CA

Dr_Michelle@ixpres.com

Luc Roy and H

Bill and Jae Landers (3)

San Jose CA

Mark and Monique Cymerint (2)

Rancho S. Margarita CA

. markcymerintdc@earthlink.net

Michael and Colleen Conger-Brass (2)

Campbell CA

Kai Hackemesser (2)

Frankfurt Germany

kaha@gmx.de

David Foster

San Diego

foster@dim.ucsd.edu

Sue Claridge (2)

Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand

sue-vaxstuff@clear.net.nz

Amy Bosh

Twin Falls, Idaho

amy@westerra.cc

Ginny Ellis

Allenhurst, GA

rainbug@hotmail.com

Ginny Caldwell (4)

El Cajon CA

ginny@ecobaby.com

Steve & Richeon Eledge (3)

Garden Grove California

drseledge@yahoo.com

: Dr. Pam Anderson (4)

Houlton, Maine

dranderson@ainop.com

Stamatis Tsamoutalidis (2)

Bethlehem, PA

SVTTCT@Aol.com

Christine Ewton

Florida

question_vaccines@comcast.net

Jason and Andrea

etc etc ad naseum

I have three children none have been vaccinated.

My twelve yr old recently puked for the first time in his life.

My eight yr old has never been "sick" even when he contracted chicken pox

All three are "high functioning" the 12 yr old just finished the 8th grade and read at the 8th grade level when he entered 1st grade. (he taught himself how)

I put quotations around high functioning because I think its a misnomer.

My kids are normal the rest of the world dealing with poisonous neurotoxins administered prior to the age of two (the brain is still growing and developing until the age of two) that must by definition destroy brain cells and important neurological connections

rant ended:D

Dr D · June 6, 2008

If you could invent some widget and convince the government to not only make a law that everyone had to buy it but also persecute anyone who dissented wouldn't that be a good deal for you?

If you read the research it does not justify what we are doing to our kids.

Hepititus B is administered at birth. It is primarily a sexually transmitted disease that could only be contracted from the mother. there is no question that it is risky for the child to recieve this vaccine. Why do we give it to all babies instead of just those whose mother is Hep B +?

Vaccines are only profitable if they are widely used.

My biggest BITCH about the vaccine question is the lack of informed consent.

educate parents to both sides of the issue and then let them make a decision and honor it. its a simple pillar of a doctor's oath that isn't present at all when it comes to vaccines:nono:

Dr D · June 6, 2008

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php?p=460

tex1230 · June 6, 2008

With all due respect, Dr. D, you are not going to convince a single person to change their mind by posting massive volumes of research or anecdotal evidence. Hell, I'd be surprised if 1% of the people reading this thread even bother to read all of that^^

Gecko · June 6, 2008

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

yeah I got about half way through the first post before realizing...I have a vasectomy none of this really matters to me:eplus2:

Dr D · June 6, 2008

:lol:If it opens one persons mind or helps one person make an informed decision I have done my job. The biggest fallacy in healthcare is that the doctor is all knowing and all powerful and you should do what you are told.

Doctor means teacher. my job is to present information and allow the patient to make an informed decision. I pass no judgement on the decisions made. I have opinions to be sure but the choice is yours! AS it should be. :biggthump

Don't let government start telling you what to put into your body:nono:

Dr D · June 6, 2008

besides if I just posted my opinions I would be defending them all day. This way the detractors have to spend all day reading the research references if they want to rationally discuss it. :eplus2:

Dr D · June 6, 2008

<CENTER>The Center For Unhindered Living

<>Infant Mortality Statistics

United States: 6.3 infant deaths per 1000 of population

That makes us 33rd in the world.

</CENTER>

<TABLE style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; WIDTH: 30%; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; TEXT-ALIGN: left" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial">Rank

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial">Country

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial"># Infant Deaths

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">1

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Iceland

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">2.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">2

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Singapore

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Japan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Sweden

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Norway

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Hong Kong

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">7

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Finland

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Czech Republic

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">9

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Switzerland

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">10

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">South Korea

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">11

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Belgium

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">12

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">France

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Spain

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">14

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Germany

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">15

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Denmark

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">16

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Austria

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Australia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Luxembourg

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Netherlands

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">20

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Israel

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">21

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Slovenia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">22

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">United Kingdom

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Canada

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">24

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Republic of Ireland

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">25

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Italy

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">26

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Portugal

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">27

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">New Zealand

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">28

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cuba

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">29

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Channel Islands

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">30

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Brunei

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">31

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cypress

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">5.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">32

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">New Caldonia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">33

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">United States

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">34

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Croatia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">35

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Malta

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">36

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Martinique

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">37

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Poland

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">38

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Greede

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">39

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Guadeloupe

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">40

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Hungary

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">41

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Slovakia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">6.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">42

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Macau

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">7.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">43

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Chile

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">7.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">44

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Estoria

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">7.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">45

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Puerto Rico

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">7.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">46

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">French Polynesia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">47

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Quwait

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">48

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">United Arab Emirates

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">49

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Qatar

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">50

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Lithuania

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">51

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">U.S. Virgin Islands

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">52

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Malasia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">8.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">53

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Guam

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">9.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">54

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Belarus

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">9.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">55

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Costa Rica

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">9.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">56

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Barbados

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">10.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">57

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Latvia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">10.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">58

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Thailand

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">10.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">59

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Sri Lanka

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">11.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">60

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Bahrain

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">11.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">61

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Serbia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">11.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">62

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Bulgaria

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">11.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">63

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Boznia & Herzegovina

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">12.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">64

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Oman

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">12.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">65

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Trinidad & Tobago

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">12.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">66

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">St. Lucia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">12.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">67

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Ukraine

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">12.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">68

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Uruguay

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">69

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Reunion

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">70

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">French Guiana

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">71

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Argentina

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">72

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Jamaica

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">73

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Bahamas

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">13.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">74

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Maritius

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">14.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">75

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Republic of Macedonia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">14.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">76

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Netherlands Antilles

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">14.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">77

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Romania

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">14.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">78

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Moldovia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">14.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">79

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Syria

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">16.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">80

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Belize

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">16.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">81

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Russia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">16.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">82

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Mexico

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">16.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">83

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Aruba

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">84

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Venezuela

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">85

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Palestinian Territories

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">86

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Lybia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">87

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Panama

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">88

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Tonga

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">89

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Saudia Arabia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">90

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Colombia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">91

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Albania

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">92

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Jordan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">93

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Vietnam

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">94

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Fiji

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">95

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Tunisia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">19.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">96

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Ecuador

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">21.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">97

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Peru

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">21.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">98

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Nicaragua

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">21.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">99

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">El Salvador

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">21.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">100

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Lebanon

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">22.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">101

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Montenegro

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">22.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">102

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Samoa

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">22.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">103

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">China

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">104

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Phillippines

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">105

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">St. Vincent & Grenadines

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">106

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Brazil

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">107

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Kazakhstan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">24.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">108

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cape Verde

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">24.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">109

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Indonesia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">24.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">110

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Turkey

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">27.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">111

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Suriname

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">27.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">112

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Honduras

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">28.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">113

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Vanuata

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">28.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">114

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Armenia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">28.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">115

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Egypt

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">29.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">116

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Dominican Republic

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">29.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">117

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Guatemala

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">30.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">118

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Morocco

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">30.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">119

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Iran

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">30.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">120

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Algeria

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">31.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">121

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Paraguay

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">32.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">122

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Grenada

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">33.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">123

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Micronesia, Federated St.

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">34.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">124

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Maldives

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">34.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">125

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Georgia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">37.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">126

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Mongolia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">39.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">127

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Namibia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">42.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">128

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Guyana

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">42.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">129

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Western Sahara

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">44.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">130

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">South Africa

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">44.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">131

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Bhutan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">45.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">132

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Bolivia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">45.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">133

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Botswana

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">46.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">134

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">North Korea

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">48.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">135

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Comoros

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">48.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">136

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Haiti

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">48.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">137

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Laos

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">51.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">138

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Bangladesh

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">52.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">139

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Krygyzstan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">53.1

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">140

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Gabon

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">53.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">141

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Nepal

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">53.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">142

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Solomon Islands

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">54.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">143

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">India

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">55.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">144

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Uzbekistan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">55.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">145

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Eritrea

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">55.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">146

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Ghana

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">55.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">147

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Zimbabwe

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">58.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">148

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Yemen

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">58.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">149

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Tajikistan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">60.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">150

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Papua New Guinea

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">60.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">151

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cambodia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">62.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">152

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Mauritania

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">63.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">153

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Kenya

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">64.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">154

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Lesotho

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">64.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">155

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Sudan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">64.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">156

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Madagascar

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">65.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">157

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Senegal

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">65.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">158

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Myanmar

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">66.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">159

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">East Timor

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">66.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">160

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Pakistan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">67.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">161

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Congo

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">70.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">162

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Swaziland

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">71.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">163

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Sao Tome & Principe

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">72.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">164

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Azerbeijan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">72.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">165

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Tanzania

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">72.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">166

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Gambia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">72.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">167

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Turkmenistan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">74.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">168

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Uganda

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">76.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">169

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Iraq

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">81.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">170

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Djibouti

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">85.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">171

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Ethiopia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">86.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">172

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cameroon

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">87.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">173

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Togo

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">88.6

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">174

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Malaway

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">89.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">175

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Equitorial Guinea

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">92.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">176

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Zambia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">92.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">177

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Mozambique

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">95.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">178

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Central African Republic

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">96.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">179

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Benin

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">98.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">180

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Burundi

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">99.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">181

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Guinea

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">102.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">182

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Burkina Faso

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">104.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">183

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Nigeria

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">109.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">184

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Niger

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">110.8

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">185

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Rwanda

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">112.4

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">186

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Guinea-Bissau

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">112.7

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">187

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Conga, Dem Republic

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">113.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">188

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Somolia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">116.3

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">189

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cote d'lvoire

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">116.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">190

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Chad

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">119.2

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">191

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Mali

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">128.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">192

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Angola

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">131.9

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">193

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Liberia

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">132.5

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">194

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Afghanisan

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">157.0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">195

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Sierra Leone

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-ALIGN: center">160.3

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Yes, the United States rates a SHOCKING 33rd in the world! That means, 32 other countries have lower infant mortality rates than the United States, even though we supposedly have the best medical health care in the world! Why is this the case? One has to stop and consider why. Is all this pitocin induction, electronic fetal monitoring, ultrasound examination, epidural anesthesia, forceps delivery and cesarean section helping to increase the number of live births? Is being in the hospital for birth safer than being at home? Is intervening frequently into the birth process and trying to medically manage birth resulting in better birth outcomes?

One might argue, there really isn't much difference between 2.9 and 6.3, only about three deaths per thousand. However, in a highly populated country like the United States (275,562,673), three deaths per thousand means there are a lot more infant deaths in the United States each year than Iceland.

Infant Mortality statistics taken from United Nations World Population Prospects: 2006 revision – Table A.18, A.19

Dr D · June 6, 2008

4 of the top 5 countries use the midwifery model of child birth.

INTERESTING

BobD · June 6, 2008

for the reading. That's some good stuff.

Dr D, on the subject of autism, what's your take on the diet theory ?. Having both Ceoliac and autism in the family, the leaky gut idea sounds very credable to me. I have read that a recent study (in Iran of all places) disproved the theory, but the findings did not make sense to me. They based thier conclusion on there being no gluten/casein autoantibodies in the autistic kids. What I don't understand is that if antibodies had been found, wouldn't that present as Ceoliac disease ?. Is it possible in autism that these proteins can permeate the gut without triggering an immune response ?

BobD

Dr D · June 6, 2008

IMHO many diseases have a background level of occurrence that happens for no apparent reason. mad cow disease in cows for instance. no matter what you do there will be so many cases per thousand present.

when that background level spikes then you can be sure that there is an outside factor. leaky gut certainly applies to celiac sprue and many allergies. The autism link is possible. the Autism numbers spike directly correlates to the increase in vaccination programs of all types so that is more likely.

Despite the hype, Genetics play a very small role in disease and health. Current estimates put it in the 10% range. If grandpa died of a heart attack you may want to be more vigilant than he was but it certainly doesn't mean you will die from one. The correlation there is more likely due to similar eating and living habits in family groups.

A good book on the subject would be "epigenetics" by Bruce Lipton

your genes actually turn on and off in response to your environment.

Dr D · June 6, 2008

I would link dietary causes of autism to food additives. Many of these chemicals mimic body chemistry well enough to confuse the body. there are over 1000 chemicals currently legal to label as spice according to the FDA. Simply lobbby with enough dollars and you to can get your chemical additive magically transformed into a spice. there are lots of others that are simply labeled as chemicals and commonly accepted.

Read Excitotoxins : the taste that kills

http://www.amazon.com/Excitotoxins-Taste-Russell-L-Blaylock/dp/0929173252

Gecko · June 7, 2008

4 of the top 5 countries use the midwifery model of child birth.
INTERESTING

I didn't realize that we as a country were so low but I knew that Midwives were used in many countries with more comprehensive heathcare than we have

OK I am now happy that I eat mostly homegrown

Home Birth

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