The report titled "Levels and Trends in Child Mortality" shows that while child mortality among those under five has decreased by more than 50% since 2000, the rate of improvement has slowed by more than 60% since 2015. This is the first study to analyze global data and the causes of child mortality.
According to the report, over 100,000 children aged one month to five years died from severe acute malnutrition. The highest number of cases was recorded in Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan. Experts emphasize that the real number is likely higher, as malnutrition weakens the immune system and makes children more vulnerable to other diseases, with many cases not accounted for in official statistics.
Katherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, commented on the situation: "No child should die from preventable diseases. However, we are seeing alarming signs of a slowdown in progress in preventing child mortality, occurring against a backdrop of declining global funding."
Infectious diseases remain a serious threat: nine infections account for 43% of all deaths among children under five.After the first month of life, the main causes of death are malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Mortality remains concentrated in countries with endemic infections, such as Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria, where conflicts and climate change limit access to healthcare.
The report also indicates that neonatal mortality accounts for nearly half of all deaths among children under five, reflecting a slowdown in progress in this age group. The main factors are complications related to premature birth, as well as infections and problems during childbirth.
Children living in conflict and unstable regions are almost three times more likely to die before reaching the age of five compared to their peers in more stable regions.
While infectious diseases and injuries remain the leading causes of death among young children, the picture changes for adolescents:
- for girls aged 15 to 19, the leading cause of death becomes suicide;
- for boys, it is road traffic accidents.
Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, characterized the data as a "harsh reminder" that many countries are falling short of achieving sustainable development goals.
"We know how to prevent these tragic cases. New political commitments, stable investments in primary healthcare, and reliable data collection systems are needed so that no child is left behind," he noted.
Vaccination, nutrition improvement programs, and skilled medical assistance during childbirth can save millions of lives.
The photo on the main page is illustrative: vestivrn.ru.
