The report titled "Levels and Trends in Child Mortality" was prepared by the UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It shows that, despite a significant reduction in the mortality rate of children under five since 2000, the rate of decline has fallen by more than 60% since 2015. This is the first study that takes into account statistics from around the world and analyzes the causes of child mortality.
The document notes that more than 100,000 children aged one month to five years died from severe acute malnutrition, with the highest rates recorded in Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan. This is the first global assessment of the impact of malnutrition on mortality. Experts suggest that the actual number may be higher, as malnutrition weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to other diseases, and many cases remain unreported.
Katherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, expressed concern: "No child should die from preventable diseases. However, we are seeing alarming signs of a slowdown in progress in preventing child mortality amid declining global spending."
Infectious diseases continue to pose a serious threat: nine infections account for 43% of all deaths of children under five years old.After the first month of life, the main causes of death remain malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Mortality is concentrated in countries with endemic infections, such as Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria, where conflicts and climate disasters hinder access to prevention and treatment.
According to the report, nearly half of all deaths among children under five occur in newborns, indicating a slowdown in progress in reducing mortality during this period. The main causes are related to complications of premature birth, problems during delivery, and infections.
Children living in conflict and instability zones are almost three times more likely to die before reaching the age of five than their peers in safer regions.
While infectious diseases and injuries remain leading causes of death among younger children, the situation changes in adolescence:
- Among girls aged 15-19, the leading cause of death is self-harm;
- Among boys, it is road traffic accidents.
Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, characterized the new data as a "harsh reminder" that many countries are not meeting the goals set in the Sustainable Development Agenda.
"We know how to prevent these deaths. Renewed political commitment, sustainable investments in primary health care, and reliable data collection systems are needed so that no child is left behind," he added.
Vaccination, nutrition programs, and skilled assistance during childbirth can save millions of lives.
Photo on the homepage is illustrative: vestivrn.ru.
