New Data on Childhood Mortality

An article in today's Lancet (free registration) sets out new, up to date estimates of the causes of child deaths. The study finds that more than 70% of the 10.6 million annual child deaths worldwide are attributable to six causes: pneumonia (19%), diarrhoea (18%), malaria (8%), neonatal sepsis or pneumonia (10%), preterm delivery (10%), and asphyxia at birth (8%). Infectious diseases account for more than half (54%) of childhood deaths.This study shows that the main causes of child deaths can be addressed through existing and affordable interventions.