Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five
Are we getting any closer to these goals in 2007? Have a look at this table.
The Problem
According to UNICEF, "around 29,000 under-fives die every day from causes that are easily prevented, such as diarrhoeal dehydration, acute respiratory infections, measles and malaria." Every year about 11 million children younger than five years old die. Four million die in the first week of life. About 3 million die before or during birth.
Children younger than five years old have a high chance of death if they do not get basic health care. In developed countries most children do have this health care and so the under five mortality rate is not that high. But in developing countries many children still die before they can celebrate their fifth birthday.
Why do these children die if we have the knowledge to keep them healthy? There are a number of reasons. Health care is not available in many parts of the developing world, so mothers give birth in very basic conditions. Even though we have vaccines for childhood illnesses, they are not available to many in the developing world because there are no health clinics nearby. Many of the children and their mothers do not get enough to eat to keep them healthy. If they are not healthy they can get sick more easily, and even die.
It would be so easy to save these lives. The vaccines and the food are not that expensive!
The goals
Are we getting any closer to these goals in 2007? Have a look at this table.
The Problem
According to UNICEF, "around 29,000 under-fives die every day from causes that are easily prevented, such as diarrhoeal dehydration, acute respiratory infections, measles and malaria." Every year about 11 million children younger than five years old die. Four million die in the first week of life. About 3 million die before or during birth.
Children younger than five years old have a high chance of death if they do not get basic health care. In developed countries most children do have this health care and so the under five mortality rate is not that high. But in developing countries many children still die before they can celebrate their fifth birthday.
Why do these children die if we have the knowledge to keep them healthy? There are a number of reasons. Health care is not available in many parts of the developing world, so mothers give birth in very basic conditions. Even though we have vaccines for childhood illnesses, they are not available to many in the developing world because there are no health clinics nearby. Many of the children and their mothers do not get enough to eat to keep them healthy. If they are not healthy they can get sick more easily, and even die.
It would be so easy to save these lives. The vaccines and the food are not that expensive!
Links
Interview about under-five mortality.
UNICEF
The Millenium Development Goals
1. Poverty2. Education
3. Gender Inequality
4. Child Mortality
5. Maternal Health
6. Combat Disease
7. Sustainability
8. Global Partnership