While the world has achieved a historic milestone in reducing child mortality—cutting deaths among children under 5 from 10.1 million in 2000 to 4.9 million in 2024—this remarkable progress now faces a critical juncture. According to analysis published in The BMJ, 60 countries are unlikely to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets for child survival by 2030, threatening two decades of global health advancement.
The deceleration in progress coincides with mounting global challenges: economic hardship, armed conflict, and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, countries like Rwanda and Malawi demonstrate that accelerated progress remains achievable, having achieved 80% and 71% mortality reductions respectively since 2000.
With fewer than five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, urgent intervention is needed to prevent a reversal of hard-won gains in child health. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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