Greece; economic crisis affects childbirths too

Childbirth data in Greece shows that the numbers have fallen from 15,000 to 10,000 while fetal resorptions are at 4%, and the number of underweight babies has hit 10%, numbers that some health care analysts link to the country's crushing economic crisis that has seen many people suffer big drops in income and unable to afford proper nutrition. The fertility rate is at an alarming 1.39% overall and less than 1% for people with 100% Greek heritage, ranking the country 199th among 220 in the world as GreekReporter website writes. "The low birth rate in the country, combined with the increased life expectancy (79.78% for the general population), leads not only to the reduce of the size of population, but also to a demographic aging," noted professor Dimitris Botsis from the University Hospital Areteio. Other experts said that, due to the problems which have to be faced by the Greek society, women neglect their health, affecting childbirth and their life expectancy. The said women should pay more attention to their health and be examined more to prevent gynecological problems.