Armenia - Health

There were 46,635 live births in 1999, with an infant mortality rate of 15 per 1,000 live births in 2000. The estimated maternal mortality rate was 35 per 100,000 live births as of 1999. Life expectancy in 2000 averaged 74 years. There were 7,000 warrelated deaths from 1989 to 1992; the death rate was estimated at 10 per 1,000 people in 2002. In 1999, the incidence of tuberculosis was 58 per 100,000 people. Immunization rates declined as of 1994 due to war and earthquakes but have begun to recover. In 1999, the immunization rates were as follows for a child under the age of one: tuberculosis, 72%; polio, 95%; and measles, 92%. In the same year, the estimated immunization rate for DPT was 91%. In 2000 the total fertility rate was 1.3 births per woman and the maternal mortality rate was an estimated 35 per 100,000 live births.

As of 1999, there were an estimated 3.2 physicians and 0.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people and the country spent an estimated 7.8% of its GDP on health care. In this former republic of the Soviet Union, health care has undergone rapid changes in the last few years. The break from the Soviet Union has meant a disruption of the system that once provided member states with equipment, supplies, and drugs. Out-of-pocket payments by individual are now required for most health care services. However, the health care delivery itself is still largely organized as it was during the Soviet era, with regional clinics and walk-in centers delivering most primary health care services.

The incidence of heart disease is high compared to other moderately developed countries. There is nearly a 50% chance of dying of heart disease after age 65 for both women and men. As of 1999, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at fewer than 500 and the prevalence rate among adults was 0.01%.