A Fair Chance at Life: Why Equity Matters for Child Mortality

Summary

Save the Children undertook research to unpack the statistics on child mortality in the 32 countries for which data was available. In the report, there are significant disparities in child mortality between and within countries. The report discusses that child deaths do not, on the whole, strike randomly. Ninety-nine per cent happen in the developing world, and within every society children in the poorest households are significantly more likely to die before their fifth birthday. Behind each avoidable child death is a complex story of disadvantage, exclusion and discrimination. Taking an equitable approach to improving child survival matters in and of itself; the principles of equity and freedom from discrimination underpin all children’s rights, including the right to survival. The report shows that addressing inequity can accelerate overall progress towards MDG 4: the deaths of 4 million children could have been prevented (across 42 countries over a ten-year period) if countries had made more equitable reductions in child mortality. From studying seven countries, the report identified as making both significant and equitable progress in reducing child mortality. Overall it is suggested that without the political will to prioritise the health and well-being of every mother and child, the lives of millions more children will continue to be at risk.