Millennium Development Goals

Abstract

Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 51, Issue 6 p. 649-649 Heads UpFree Access Millennium Development Goals First published: 02 June 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12922 edited by Craig Mellis (craig.mellis@sydney.edu.au) AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat The Millennium Development Goals were set by the United Nations in 2000, adopted by 189 countries, and set goals to be achieved by 2015, including the eradication of extreme poverty and improvements in child mortality, maternal health and primary education. A supplement of Archives of Diseases in Childhood describes progress.1 Deaths in <5-year-old children fell from 12.7 million in 1990 to 6.3 million in 2013, meaning 17 000 fewer children die every day. Enrolment in primary education in developing countries rose from 82% in 1999 to 90% in 2010, although this still leaves 57 million age-eligible children out of school. John Vince from Papua New Guinea (PNG) reports on Oceania.2 Although mortality rates remain higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders than the rest of the population, their rates fell by almost 50% from 2002 to 2012. The proportion of gross national product allocated to health varied from 3% in PNG (equivalent to US$35–40) to 14% in Kiribati. Infectious diseases (pneumonia, meningitis, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, tuberculosis) are the leading causes of child mortality in the low-income countries. Immunisation rates are suboptimal, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are only given in Australia and New Zealand. Malnutrition affects 11–18% of children in PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Progress has been made in all countries of Oceania, often despite formidable obstacles. References 1Beattie RM et al. Arch. Dis. Child. 2015; 100 (Suppl. 1): s1. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 2Vince JD. Arch. Dis. Child. 2015; 100 (Suppl. 1): s63– 65. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Reviewer: David Isaacs, david.isaacs@health.nsw.gov.au Volume51, Issue6June 2015Pages 649-649 ReferencesRelatedInformation