内容摘要：On the research farm, Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” was serenading a piglet barn, where music acclimates the youngsters to human voices. In air-conditioned pens, the animals grunted excited greetings until it’s obvious their visitors brought no treats. The 3-week-olds darted back to the security of mom. Next door, older siblings laid down for a nap or checked out balls and other toys.

On the research farm, Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” was serenading a piglet barn, where music acclimates the youngsters to human voices. In air-conditioned pens, the animals grunted excited greetings until it’s obvious their visitors brought no treats. The 3-week-olds darted back to the security of mom. Next door, older siblings laid down for a nap or checked out balls and other toys.

Consider Norway, which has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the world: zero. Through its universal health care system, people get free prenatal appointments at health centers near their homes.For every 1,000 live births, Norway has 13 OB-GYNs and 54 midwives, the

found, compared with 12 OB-GYNs and four midwives in the U.S.Regular care means problems are spotted and treated early, said Roosa Sofia Tikkanen, a doctoral candidate at the Center for Global Health Inequalities Research in Norway.“Maternal mortality is an entirely preventable event providing you have access to basic health care,” Tikkanen said. “Not high-tech health care but basic health care.”

What happens during and after delivery also makes a difference. The national rate for cesarean sections, which are more likely than vaginal births to lead to complications, is about 16% in Norway compared to 32% in the U.S. The Scandinavian country also mandates generous paid leave, which research links to better postpartum health.Commonsense Childbirth, which has locations in Orlando and Winter Garden, Florida, offers a small-scale model of European care. It has clinics, a birthing center and training for health professionals.

The midwives who run the program welcome vulnerable patients that other practices turn away, such as those who are uninsured or haven’t had prenatal care until late in pregnancy.

Founded by British immigrant Jennie Joseph about 26 years ago, it has never had a maternal death.A stray cat looks out from the window of a house in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A stray cat looks out from the window of a house in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)A shopkeeper plays with kittens on display inside a pet shop in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A shopkeeper plays with kittens on display inside a pet shop in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)The vets said there’s been an uptick in infections among the feline population due to lack of vaccination and mishandling of strays.