Reduce child mortality

Targets

Reduce by two thirds the under-five mortality rate between 1990 and 2015.

Progress

Under-five mortality rate per 1,000 live births in developing regions:

1990 - 106
2005 - 83 (140 for the Asia Pacific)

At the current rate, the target will be achieved by 2015 globally although none of the poorest regions of the developing world are individually on track and Asia Pacific is moving too slowly to achieve this vital goal.

Business can contribute to MDG 4 by:

• Playing a key role in establishing strong health systems
  Provide community health workers, facilities with essential newborn care that are easily accessible, a good referral system, immunisation programs, supervision and support
• Promoting health education
  Education, especially for girls and mothers, is essential in the reduction of child mortality

Primer questions

• Can you develop new products that combat nutritional deficiencies and are affordable to low-income families?
• Can you provide affordable diagnostic tools for early detection of illness?
• Can you prioritise research and development efforts around diseases that disproportionately affect poor communities?
• Can you provide affordable infant vaccinations?
• Can you support programs to improve child nutrition?