Mortality is much higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and varies inversely with the mother's level of education. Mortality is lowest for children born to women between the ages of 20 and 34 years, those of birth order less than 4, and those born 4 or more years after the preceding sibling. The primary health- care system in Mongolia appears to be functioning fairly well, despite recent cutbacks in funding. Perhaps the area in which the health-care system is weakest is in combating anemia. Less than half of women received iron pills during their most recent pregnancy, and only 7 percent took the pills for the recommended 3 months.
Mongolian children appear to be healthy, from an international perspective.
A great majority of adults in Mongolia have heard of AIDS, including 96 percent of women of reproductive age. Much publicity by health authorities remains to be undertaken if AIDS is not to become a serious problem in Mongolia, as elsewhere. IMF Copyright 1997-2001 United Nations in Mongolia.