16,000 deaths every day: World’s stark child-mortality paradox – in 3 charts – Times of India

Global Child Mortality and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Status Report

Current Global Status and Alignment with SDG 3

An analysis of 2020 data from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation reveals significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly Target 3.2, which aims to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age. The current global situation presents a stark paradox of progress and persistent crisis.

• Global Mortality Rate: 4.4% of all children die before the age of 15.
• Daily Human Cost: This rate translates to approximately 16,000 child deaths every day.
• Historical Context: While a significant improvement from previous centuries where child mortality rates approached 50% in many regions, the current figure remains unacceptably high.

Analysis of Disparities and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The global average masks profound inequalities between regions, a direct challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The disparity in child survival rates underscores the uneven distribution of resources, healthcare access, and prosperity.

• Benchmark for Success: The European Union reports a child mortality rate of approximately 0.47%, demonstrating that near-elimination of preventable child deaths is achievable with robust health systems and economic stability.
• Concentration of Burden: The highest mortality rates are concentrated in the world’s poorest regions, where children are most vulnerable.

Factors Driving Progress in Child Survival

Historical gains in reducing child mortality prove that targeted interventions, aligned with multiple SDGs, are effective. The dramatic decline over the last century can be attributed to advancements in public health and development.

1. Medical Science: Widespread implementation of vaccines and antibiotics.
2. Maternal and Child Health: Improvements in the safety of childbirth practices.
3. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Increased access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
4. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Enhanced nutrition for mothers and children.

Persistent Challenges and Barriers to SDG Attainment

The gap between the achievable rate of 0.47% and the global average of 4.4% is maintained by systemic issues that contravene several SDGs.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The burden of child mortality is highest in regions affected by poverty, conflict, and weak health systems.
• Preventable Diseases: A significant number of deaths are still caused by preventable and treatable conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria.

Recommended Interventions to Accelerate Progress

Closing the mortality gap requires the scaled-up implementation of proven, cost-effective interventions. These actions are critical for accelerating progress towards SDG 3.

1. Full immunization coverage.
2. Distribution and use of mosquito nets.
3. Access to oral rehydration therapy for diarrheal diseases.
4. Provision of fortified foods to combat malnutrition.
5. Universal access to primary healthcare services.

Strategic Priorities for Future Action

To sustain progress and achieve the SDG targets, a focused effort on strengthening health infrastructure and ensuring equitable access is required.

• Protecting and expanding routine immunization programs.
• Strengthening the role and capacity of community health workers.
• Targeting “last-mile” delivery to ensure interventions reach the most remote and fragile communities.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on child mortality directly and indirectly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goal addressed is SDG 3, but the underlying causes and solutions discussed also link to SDG 6 and SDG 10.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire text focuses on the issue of child mortality, discussing global rates, historical progress, and necessary interventions to save young lives. The article’s core message about reducing the “16,000 deaths every day” is a direct call to action for this goal.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article explicitly credits “clean water and sanitation” as one of the key interventions that “have driven a historic collapse in child deaths over the last century.” This highlights the critical role of basic services in preventing diseases that are major causes of child mortality, such as diarrhea.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article emphasizes the “world’s stark child-mortality paradox,” pointing out the vast disparity between the child mortality rate in the European Union (0.47%) and the global average (4.4%). It further states that the “burden remains concentrated in the poorest regions,” directly addressing the inequality in health outcomes between and within countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.2 (under SDG 3): “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article’s focus on the 4.4% of children who die before age 15 and the discussion of preventable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria directly relate to this target of eliminating preventable child deaths.
2. Target 3.8 (under SDG 3): “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.” The article advocates for interventions like “full immunization,” “access to primary care,” and strengthening “community health workers,” which are all core components of achieving universal health coverage.
3. Target 6.1 and 6.2 (under SDG 6): Target 6.1 aims for “universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all,” and Target 6.2 aims for “access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.” The article’s mention of “clean water and sanitation” as a reason for historical success implies that achieving these targets is crucial for future progress in reducing child mortality.
4. Target 10.2 (under SDG 10): “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all…” While this target is broad, its principle applies to health. The article’s point that the burden of child mortality falls on the “poorest regions” and in “fragile settings” highlights a failure of inclusion, where vulnerable populations are left behind without access to the basic health systems enjoyed elsewhere.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several direct and indirect indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Child Mortality Rate: The article provides explicit data points that serve as indicators, such as the global rate of “4.4% of all children die before age 15,” the daily death toll of “16,000 deaths every day,” and the benchmark rate in the European Union of “0.47%.” These figures are direct measures for SDG Target 3.2.
• Immunization Coverage: The text identifies “full immunization” and “protecting routine immunization” as critical interventions. Therefore, the percentage of children receiving all basic vaccinations (e.g., DTP, measles) is a key implied indicator for Target 3.8.
• Access to Health Interventions: The article lists several “proven interventions,” implying that their coverage rates are important indicators. These include:
  • “Mosquito-net coverage” to prevent malaria.
  • Access to “oral rehydration therapy” to treat diarrhea.
  • Access to “fortified foods” to improve nutrition.
  • “Access to primary care” as a general measure of health system strength.
• Access to Basic Services: By citing “clean water and sanitation” as a driver of progress, the article implies that the proportion of the population with access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services are relevant indicators for Targets 6.1 and 6.2.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com