Childhood Mortality and Stillbirth

Prelims – Economic and Social Development.

Mains (GS II & III) – GS II (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources) | GS III (Inclusive growth and issues arising from it). 

Why in news?

The United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) in its recent report has lauded India for its effort in mitigating childhood mortality and stillbirth.

• The United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) recently published its "Levels and Trends in Child Mortality" report.
• It is an annual report that provides data for 195 countries.
• Child mortality – It is also known as under-five mortality rate.
• It is the number of children who die by the age of 5 years, per 1000 live births.
• Stillbirth – A baby who dies after 28 weeks of pregnancy, but before or during birth, is classified as a stillbirth.

Key findings of the report

• While the world has made progress in reducing child mortality, the rate of improvement is slowing down.
• Millions of children still die from preventable causes, often due to unequal access to healthcare, nutrition, and protection, especially in vulnerable areas.
• India – India is on 7^th position among the top 10 countries in highest reduction of stillbirths in the range of 60-70%.
• Between 2000 and 2023, India achieved a 70% decline in the under-five mortality rate and 61% decline in the neonatal mortality rate.
• Stillbirth in India is reduced 60.4% in between 2000-2023 in comparison to 37% global reduction.

References

1. Business standard | childhood mortality and stillbirth
2. UN IGME | About UN IGME