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4. Reduce Childhood Deaths
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What is it? |
This goal addresses the health problems that affect children from the time they are born until they reach 5 years old. The main illnesses affecting child mortality are HIV/AIDS, malaria, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. |
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What are the targets? |
Reduce by two thirds the number of children under 5 years old who die from preventable illness. |
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Facts and Stats |
In developing countries one out of every 10 children will die before his or her fifth birthday.
10 million children die every year from preventable illness.
Every year, malaria kills more than 400,000 children. |
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Progress so far |
In Latin America, the Caribbean and the Arab States the rate of childhood deaths was reduced by about one third in the 1990s.
But the gap between rich and poor countries has grown. Children in Sub Saharan Africa are 26 times more likely to die from preventable illness than children in rich countries. |
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Canada’s Contribution |
Between 2000 and 2005 Canada has spent $3 billion on healthcare with a significant portion being directed to children.
Canada is one of five major global contributors to immunization programs worldwide.
Canada’s assistance has helped reduce the number of children who die by the age of 5 by about 40% in two districts of rural Tanzania. |
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Participating NGOs |
Child Poverty Action Group Comic Relief
Child Hope Save the Children |
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How you can take action |
Research one of the preventable illnesses and write a report about how you think the world should reduce childhood deaths.
Have a class discussion. Share your stories and ask questions, try to come up with some solutions by brainstorming with your classmates.
Hold a public speaking conference for your school or town. Deliver speeches about why you think the world should commit to reducing childhood diseases. |
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Links
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http://www.cpag.org.uk/
http://www.comicrelief.com/index.shtml
http://www.childhope.org.uk/
http://www.savethechildren.ca/ |
