Global Child Mortality <br />Rate Shows Sharp <br />Decline, Says Study The report was <br />released by the Bill and <br />Melinda Gates Foundation. It found a drastic <br />improvement in child mortality <br />rates almost everywhere in the world. This is due to international <br />and government efforts to <br />combat child poverty and disease. 20 years ago, the child mortality <br />rate was about one out of every sixteen children. This means that nearly <br />ten million children died <br />before their fifth birthday. By 2017, that number <br />was reduced by almost 50%. While encouraging, the report <br />also revealed severe inequality <br />in the poorest districts of <br />the poorest countries. The data could help development <br />groups and governments to <br />focus their efforts in areas <br />with the highest rates. Dean Jamison, Global Health Professor, UCSF, <br />via 'The New York Times'
