Global child mortality decreases

Global child mortality has decreased in the past year, new data has suggested.

Research released by Unicef shows that the rate of death for children aged under five dropped during 2008 by 28 per cent around the world.

In 1990, the mortality rate was 90 deaths per 1,000 live births, but by last year this had improved to 65 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Experts from the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the United Nations Population Division were also involved in the study with Unicef.

Countries such as Malawi have experienced the most drastic improvements in child death rates.

Ann M Veneman, executive director of Unicef, said: "Compared to 1990, 10,000 fewer children are dying every day.

"While progress is being made, it is unacceptable that each year 8.8 million children die before their fifth birthday."

A reduction in under-five mortality of two-thirds is needed to reach Millennium Development Goal targets by 2015, Unicef has claimed.

News brought to you by Global Health TV, connecting health communities