In a significant announcement, the UN declares a historic milestone in the battle against child mortality, as the latest estimates unveil a substantial reduction in premature deaths among children under five years old. Figures released by the UN Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) demonstrate a remarkable decline, with the global under-five mortality rate plummeting by 51% since 2000. This progress reflects dedicated efforts and initiatives aimed at improving child health outcomes worldwide.
SUCCESS STORIES AND REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Several countries, including Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda, have achieved extraordinary success in reducing under-five mortality rates by over 75% during this time period. Such achievements underscore the effectiveness of targeted interventions and collaborative endeavours in saving children’s lives.
COMMENDATION FOR FRONTLINE HEROES
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell extends praise to midwives, health workers, and community health workers for their unwavering commitment and dedication. Their tireless efforts have played a pivotal role in driving down child mortality rates and advancing global health goals.
HOW MANY NEWBORNS, CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH DIED GLOBALLY IN 2022?
- One neonatal death occurred every 14 seconds
- One under-five death every 6 seconds and one adolescent death every 35 seconds.
- 1 in 27 children died before their fifth birthday
- 1 in 58 newborns died
- 1 in 50 children between the ages of1 month and 59 months died
- 1 in 61 children, adolescents and youth aged 5 to 24 years died
- 1 in 142 adolescents died
- 1 in 19 children, adolescents and youth between ages 0 and 24 years died
278 million children died before age 5 from 1990–2022
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE CHILDREN MOST LIKELY TO DIE BEFORE AGE 5?
- Mortality risk for children under age 5 in sub-Saharan Africa is 18 times as high as the risk in Australia and New Zealand.
- The risk of death among children under age 5 in the highest-mortality country is 80 times that of the lowest-mortality country.
- 4 in 5 under-five deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, yet only 3 in 5 live births occurred in those two regions.
- Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 57% of global under-five deaths, while only accounting for 30 per cent of global live births.
- Southern Asia accounted for another 26% of global under-five deaths and 27 per cent of global live births.
CHALLENGES AND REMAINING HURDLES
Despite significant progress, the report emphasizes the ongoing challenges in ending all preventable child and teen deaths. Millions of children continue to succumb to treatable causes, particularly in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, where access to quality healthcare remains limited.
ADDRESSING DISPARITIES AND STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE
Economic instability, conflicts, climate change, and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic pose significant obstacles to further progress. These challenges underscore the need for sustained efforts to address regional disparities and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.
CALL FOR CONTINUED INVESTMENT AND ACCELERATED ACTION
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stresses the importance of improving access to quality healthcare for every woman and child, regardless of geographical location. Accelerated action and investment in education, jobs, and healthcare infrastructure are essential to saving children’s lives and achieving universal health coverage.
UPHOLDING EVERY CHILD’S RIGHT TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population at the World Bank, underscores the imperative of ensuring equitable access to healthcare and opportunities for all children. Upholding every child’s right to health and well-being requires collective action and unwavering commitment from governments, organizations, and communities worldwide.
