Childhood Mortality in the United States
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Childhood Mortality in the United States
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines child mortality as the death of children under the age of five. The child mortality rate is the chance of dying in 1000 live births under the age of five. This suggests that child mortality covers both perinatal, prenatal, neonatal, and infant mortalities. The United Nations SDGs reflect the prevention of child mortality, which requires an in-depth appreciation of the causes, variations, and data. This report synthesizes information relevant for a broader understanding of child mortality covering data, causes, prevention, interventions, and other differences in the United States.
Statistics reveal that childhood mortality has drastically reduced in the United States since 1800-2020. Forty-six newborns out of 1000 could not make it to their fifth birthdays in 1800. In 2020, the child mortality rate in the United States in seven in every 1000 live births. Despite the decrease in child mortality over the 220 years, child deaths increase in the 1870s and 1910s during the cholera pandemic and Spanish Flu, respectively. Now, the causes of child mortality in the world have changed depending on regions and development. There are slower rates of child mortality in developed countries compared to under-developed nations. For instance, in Japan, infant mortality rates are three children in 1000 live births, while Chad has a rate of 96 in every 1000 births.
The causes of child mortality in developed countries such as the United States are infections and child development disorders. These include neonatal conditions, pneumonia, malaria, or diarrhea. However, in under-developed nations, malnutrition is the leading cause of child deaths. In the United States, leading causes of child deaths, according to WHO, are preterm birth problems, respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, congenital anomalies, low birth rates, intrapartum-related issues, infant death syndrome and maternal issues. Infant mortality deaths (6 in 1000 births) have a higher percentage compared to other child mortality cases in the United States. However, WHO reports that most causes of childhood deaths are preventable or treatable. This is because; leading causes are treatable infections or manageable disorders such as influenza, pneumonia, or sepsis. Accidents or homicides also considerably contribute to childhood deaths in the United States of America.
The prevention of childhood deaths in the United States encompasses agency efforts and other interventions. Therapies (ORT), vaccines, nutritional care, breastfeeding practices, newborn care, and family care are interventions that have been used in the United States to curb child deaths. Behavioral interventions such as improved sanitation, clean drinking water, and soap handwashing have also reduced cases related to RTIs and diarrhea. NGOs and world organizations such as UNICEF also support child survival projects in the United States, especially in research and development in vaccinations.
In summary, childhood mortality has reduced in the United States due to the efficiency of survival interventions and research and development. There is a need for better investment in child protection and alignments to MDGs and SDGs to eradicate child mortality by 2030.
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