Reducing the Child Death Rate. KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief

In the 20th century's final decades, advances in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases sharply reduced the child death rate. Despite this progress, the child death rate in the U.S. remains higher than in many other wealthy nations. The under-five mortality rate in the U.S. is almo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnie E. Casey Foundation
Main Authors Shore, Rima, Shore, Barbara
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published Annie E 01.07.2009
Subjects
Accidents
Child Caregivers
Child Health
Child Safety
Children
Chronic Illness
Death
Mortality Rate
Restraints (Vehicle Safety)
Socioeconomic Influences
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Summary:In the 20th century's final decades, advances in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases sharply reduced the child death rate. Despite this progress, the child death rate in the U.S. remains higher than in many other wealthy nations. The under-five mortality rate in the U.S. is almost three times higher than that of Iceland and Sweden and double that of Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Japan, Norway and Slovenia (Save the Children, 2008). Many of these deaths are preventable. Injury continues to be the chief cause of death for the nation's children and youth. This "KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief" considers five broad strategies to address both the larger socioeconomic forces and some of the specific hazards that threaten the well-being of children ages 1 to 14, including: (1) Prevent chronic childhood illnesses and promote lifelong health; (2) Support parents and other adults in their caretaking roles; (3) Continue to promote motor vehicle safety; (4) Target other leading health and safety issues; and (5) Ensure children have safe places to live, learn and play. (Contains 6 online resources.)