Child Survival: What You Need to Know

The child survival revolution of the 1970s and 1980s cut the average child mortality rate in half between the years 1960 and 2000. This was a tremendous achievement, but much more remains to be done; 10.8 million children die each year from easily preventable or treatable conditions.

The 5 Main Causes of Under-Five Mortality:

Neonatal illnesses (37%)

Pneumonia (19%)

Diarrhea (17%)

Malaria (8%)

Measles (4%)

Malnutrition is a contributing factor in 53% of child mortality.

(Source: Bryce, Jennifer, et al. WHO estimates of the causes of death in children. Lancet 2005; 365: 1147-1152.)

This doesn’t have to be. Cost-effective interventions are available:

Antibiotics to treat pneumonia ($0.27)

Oral rehydration packet to treat diarrhea ($0.15)

Long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets to prevent malaria ($4.80)

Immunizations against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, childhood tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and Hib ($20-$30)

Zinc supplementation for one year ($3.65)

Vitamin A supplementation for one year ($0.04)

Clean delivery with skilled attendant ($6.88)

Through the Millennium Development Goals, the global community has pledged to reduce child mortality rates by two-thirds before 2015. This will result in 6 million fewer children dying each year.

How much will it cost to reach this goal and save 6 million lives?

$5.1 billion annually.

That’s just 6% of the amount spent on tobacco products in the US each year.

(Source: Bryce, Jennifer, et al. Can the world afford to save the lives of 6 million children each year? Lancet 2005; 365: 2193–2200.)