Child health

There is no Disease Outbreak data at this time

Overview 

Protecting supporting and improving the health of children is vital for the Africa we want . Over the past several decades, we have seen dramatic progress in improving the health and survival rate of young children. The number of children dying before the age of 5 in the region was more than halved from 2000 to 2022, and more mothers newborns and children are surviving today than ever before.

However, much more remains to be done to further improve health and wellbeing outcomes for children. The world is facing a double mandate. More than half of child deaths are due to conditions that could be easily prevented or treated given access to health care and improvements to their quality of life.

At the same time, children must also be given a stable environment in which to thrive, including good health and nutrition, protection from threats and access to opportunities to learn and grow. Investing in children is one of the most important things a society can do to build a better future.

In 2022, an estimated 4.9 million children under five died, 2.7 million of them in the WHO African Region. This is equivalent to five children under 5 years of age dying every minute. More than two thirds of these deaths can be attributed to preventable causes. More than a third of all these deaths are in the neonatal period.

The primary causes of death in children under-5 include pneumonia, malaria, preterm birth complications, diarrhoea, and birth asphyxia. Approximately one third of all childhood deaths are linked to malnutrition in the African Region.

Malnutrition makes newborns and children vulnerable to both infectious and non-infectious diseases. One child dies every minute from malaria and over 90% of children living with HIV are infected through mother-to-child transmission.

Children in the Region are about 16.5 times more likely to die before the age of five than children in developed countries. Acute respiratory infections  are the leading causes of preventable sickness and death among children. Breastfeeding helps,  to build a strong immune system in newborns and young children, protects against infections such as acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea, and confers long-term health benefits

While most healthy children can thrive with their natural defences, malnutrition and children who are not exclusively breastfed can suffer compromised immune systems. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended.

Adults who were breastfed as babies often have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower rates of overweight and obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of the mother and can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
 

In 2013, an estimated 6.3 million children under five died, 2.9 million of them in the WHO African Region. This is equivalent to five children under 5 years of age dying every minute. Two thirds of these deaths can be attributed to preventable causes. A third of all these deaths are in the neonatal period.

The primary causes of death in children under-5 include pneumonia, preterm birth complications, diarrhoea, birth asphyxia and malaria. Approximately one third of all childhood deaths are linked to malnutrition in the African Region.

Malnutrition makes newborns and children vulnerable to both infectious and non-infectious diseases through a weakened immune system. One child dies every minute from malaria and over 90% of children living with HIV are infected through mother-to-child transmission.

Children in the Region are about 16.5 times more likely to die before the age of five than children in developed countries. Diarrhoeal diseases are the leading causes of preventable sickness and death among children. Breastfeeding helps prevent diarrhoea and helps to build a strong immune system in newborns and young children.

While most healthy children can thrive with their natural defences, malnutrition and children who are not exclusively breastfed can suffer compromised immune systems. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended.

Adults who were breastfed as babies often have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower rates of overweight and obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of the mother and can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Related documents

How the marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding English [pdf]
Scope and impact of digital marketing strategies for promoting breastmilk substitutes English [pdf]
Child Health and Wellbeing Dashboard English