The death toll for children under five years was 4.8 million in 2023, a significant decrease, with the fetal death that fell marginally to around 1.9 million, the data published by the UN shows.
Despite this, the decades of progress won in child survival are under threat as a result of fund cuts, health system challenges and regional disparities, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) warn together with the members of the inter -institutional networks network.
“Millions of children are alive today due to the global commitment of proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition and access to safe water and basic sanitation,” said Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF.
“Bringing preventable children's deaths to a minimum record is a remarkable achievement. Without correct policy options and proper investment, we run the risk of reversing these profits earned with so much effort, with millions more children who die from preventable causes. We cannot allow that to happen“She emphasized.
Preventible causes of children's deaths
The data, contained in two reports, also showed that almost half of the deaths for children under five occurred within the first month of life, predominantly due to premature delivery and complications during childbirth.
For those who survived last childhood, infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea, remained causes of preventable death.
In addition, almost half of late padding occur during childbirth, often due to maternal infections, prolonged or obstructed childbirth and lack of timely medical intervention.
The experts emphasized that improving access to maternal, newborn and children's high quality medical care is essential to prevent these deaths.
Regional disparities
Where a child is born greatly influences their survival possibilities. In low -income countries, services, vaccines and low -income treatments are often inaccessible, contributing to disproportionately high mortality rates.
The risk of death before serving five is 80 times higher in the country of the highest mortality than the country of lower mortality, according to reports. Among the countries, the poorest children, those who live in rural areas and those with less educated mothers faced greater risks.
Dead death followed similar patterns, with Women in low -income countries eight times more likely to experience fetal death than those in high -income countries.
Mortality rate of children under five years.
Regional estimates
Sub -Saharan Africa registered the mortality rate of less than five years of higher, with 69 deaths per 1,000 living birthswhile the general estimate for Africa was 63 per 1,000.
In contrast, the mortality rates of children under five years were significantly lower in Europe (4) and North America (6). Asia was estimated at 26 deaths, while Latin America and the Caribbean were 16 years old, and Oceania at age 19.
There was a similar disparity in estimated fetal death rates. Sub -Saharan Africa had the highest estimate in 22.2 dead killed per 1,000 birthscompared to 2.7 in northern America and 2.9 in Europe.
Asia was estimated at 12.3 by 1,000, Latin America and the Caribbean in 7.4, and Oceania at 9.5. For Africa as a whole, the estimated fetal death rate was 21 per 1,000 births.
Fund cuts
Fund cuts for child survival programs that save lives are worsening existing disparities.
The reduction of resources has led to the scarcity of health workers, the closure of clinics, interruptions in vaccination campaigns and the shortage of essential supplies such as malaria treatments.
Countries affected by humanitarian crises, those with significant debt loads or who already face high infant mortality rates are particularly affected.
Call to action
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who generally director, stressed the need to urgently expand collaboration to protect the lives of children and their health.
“From addressing malaria to the prevention of fetal mancos and guaranteeing evidence -based attention for smaller babies, we can make a difference for millions of families“, Said.
