global challenge: child mortality

Photo: Paola Gianturco

One of the most horrifying characteristics of poverty is that it preys on the vulnerable and defenseless. This often means children. In low-income countries, about one out of every 5 children dies before the age of five. In wealthier nations, this number is about one out of 350.

Every Hour...

1,200 children under the age of 5 die from preventable disease worldwide, adding up to 10 million children every year.

 

What Is Infant Mortality?

This means death before the age of one.

 

What Is Child Mortality?

This means death before the age of 5.

Mankind owes to the child the best it has to give. — UN Declaration.

Where can I learn more?

Click on these links to learn more about the work of organizations addressing child mortality in the following ways:

1. Supporting the distribution of vitamin supplements in countries without functioning health care systems.
2. Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation to further reduce occurrences of diarrhea, a leading cause of death in small children.
3. Expanding access to reproductive health care.
4. Supporting the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to families in areas at high risk for malaria, a leading cause of death in small children.
5. Increasing the number of health care providers in underserved populations, particularly in rural areas.

What can we do?

If you're a high school student interested in starting a Global Action Club Club at your school addressing child mortality contact us.

Amidst protestations of 'Who can be against the children?' too few people are for children when it really matters. — Marian Wright Edelman, African-American social reformer and children’s rights advocate