UNICEF: Child Mortality Rates in Decline

New survey results published by UNICEF indicate that child survival rates around the world are increasing, with global child deaths reaching a record low. According to the press release detailing the survey results, the annual number of deaths for children under the age of five is in decline, from nearly 13 million child deaths in 1990 to less than 10 million today. UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman says, "This is an historic moment. More children are surviving today than ever before. Now we must build on this public health success to push for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals." The goal for child mortality is a two-thirds reduction between 1990 and 2015.

Data for the UNICEF survey was compiled from various national sources, the press release says, including the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and the Demographic Household Surveys. The two surveys combined are cited by UNICEF as "...the largest single source of information of the Millennium Development Goals," and are the foundations of child mortality analysis.

The newly released survey results indicate that child mortality rates have declined significantly in Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and East Asia and the Pacific. Morocco, Vietnam and the Dominican Republic are cited as having reduced their child mortality rates by more than 33 percent. Additionally, Madagascar saw a decline in child mortality of just over 40 percent while Sao Tome and Principe rates neared a 50 percent decline. Latin America and the Caribbean are on track to reach the child mortality Millennium Development Goal with 27 child deaths for every 1,000 live births, compared to just 6 deaths per 1,000 live births in developed countries.

According to the press release, 3.1 million children die per year in South Asia, while 4.8 million perish in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most deaths occur, the survey says, in rural areas and in poor households. For Sub-Saharan Africa, the survey states that child mortality has dropped nearly 30 percent in the last four years in Malawi, while Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda and Tanzania have decreased child mortality rates by over 20 percent. The survey also indicates that the most alarming child mortality rates are found in West and Central African countries.

Reasons given for the progress made thus far include exclusive breast feeding, immunization against measles, Vitamin A supplements, and the use of anti-malarial techniques. Additionally, UNICEF says, widespread support for global health issues and increased funding from governments, private industry and international foundations have helped stem the rate of mortality among children under the age of five worldwide.

Source: UNICEF Press Release on child mortality survey