CHILD MORTALITY

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Context: The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation investigates global child mortality patterns, with an emphasis on fatalities among children under the age of five.

Details

• The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Death Estimation (UN IGME) calculates child death rates around the world. These estimates are critical for understanding trends, identifying areas for improvement, and directing policy initiatives to reduce child mortality.
• The latest report underlines the progress made in lowering child death rates over the last three decades, while also emphasising the ongoing challenges.
• The report collects information on the primary causes of child death, detects inequalities in child mortality rates across regions and socioeconomic categories, and investigates the variables that contribute to these disparities.

The most recent estimates and findings are from the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), which includes the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank, and the United Nations Population Division.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Historic Low in Child Deaths: According to this study, the annual number of deaths involving children under five has decreased by more than half since 2000, from 9.9 million to 4.9 million, marking a historic low in child deaths worldwide in 2022.
• Newborn fatalities: Despite progress, newborn fatalities remain a major concern, with one dying every 14 seconds worldwide in 2022.
• Trends in Under-Five Mortality: From 41% in 2000 to 47% in 2022, there has been a rise in under-five mortality during the newborn period. This indicates the necessity for focused interventions in the early stages of life.
• Regional disparities: Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of under-five mortality, with annual newborn deaths remaining at around 1 million. Children in this region have the poorest chances of survival, with mortality rates substantially higher than the global average.
• Causes of Death: Prematurity, pneumonia, trauma, malaria, and diarrhoea are some of the top causes of death among newborns and children. Access to vaccines, trained health staff at birth, breastfeeding assistance, and early detection and treatment of childhood illnesses can all help to reduce these deaths.

Significance

• The report's findings show global progress in lowering child mortality while emphasising ongoing challenges, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare and resources. Understanding these trends is critical for making informed policy decisions and allocating resources to successfully reduce child mortality.

Challenges

• Regional disparities: Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face major obstacles in lowering under-five mortality rates, emphasising the importance of targeted interventions and investments in healthcare infrastructure.
• Preventable Causes: Many of the leading causes of childhood death can be avoided with access to basic healthcare services, vaccines, and proper nutrition. However, differences in access to these services contribute to preventable fatalities.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Many nations are at risk of failing to meet the SDG targets for under-five and newborn mortality, highlighting the need for increased efforts to achieve these goals.

Way Forward

• Investment in healthcare infrastructure: To increase access to key services, governments and international organisations must prioritise investments in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in areas with high child mortality rates.
• Targeted interventions: Targeted interventions such as immunisation campaigns, maternity and child health programmes, and community-based healthcare efforts are critical for lowering child mortality.
• Addressing inequities: Efforts to minimise child mortality must address imbalances within and between countries, ensuring that underprivileged populations have access to basic healthcare services.
• Global Collaboration: International collaboration and cooperation are critical for exchanging best practices, mobilising resources, and executing successful methods to reduce child mortality worldwide.

Conclusion

• The UN IGME study gives vital insights into global child mortality patterns, emphasising both success and concerns. While great progress has been made in reducing under-five mortality rates, particularly since 2000, persistent regional disparities and preventable causes of death highlight the importance of ongoing efforts and focused interventions. Countries can take steps to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live and develop by prioritising healthcare infrastructure investment, reducing disparities, and speeding progress towards reaching the SDG targets.

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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Child mortality rates vary greatly across countries and even within regions. How to provide fair access to interventions that reduce child mortality while taking into account the complicated ethical considerations of resource allocation and cultural sensitivities?