World priorities and targets in maternal and child health for the year 2000

Abstract

By the year 2000, 230 million more women of reproductive age and over 300 million more children over 15, will be living in developing countries. This will present a great challenge to the health systems of the world. The member states of the World Health Organization have unanimously agreed to work together to attain the noble goal of health for all by the year 2000. A set of indicators have been developed to monitor progress, many of which relate to the health status of women and children.By the year 2000, the developing world will include 230 million more women of reproductive age and 300 million more children under 15 years of age. This situation poses a great challenge to maternal and child health systems, and a considerable effort will be required just to maintain present levels of health coverage. Although maternal mortality rates have decreased worldwide, the sharpest declines have been achieved in developed countries. Whereas maternal mortality decreased by 9% in Japan and Australia and by 7% in North America in the 1960-75 period, the annual rate of decline in Middle America and South America was only 4%. Similarly, over 90% of low-birthweight infants, who are at increased risk of infant mortality, are born in the developing world. In some parts of Africa and Asia, the infant mortality rate is over 150/1000 live births. A considerable effort will be necessary to reduce this rate to the target of below 50/1000 set for the year 2000. The major health problems of mothers and children are related to 3 synergistic conditions: malnutrition, infection, and the consequences of unregulated fertility. Teenage pregnancy is another area of concern. In some developing countries, 50% of 1st births involve women under 20 years of age. Many of the indicators that have been developed to measure progress toward attaining the goal of health for all by the year 2000 relate to the health status of women and children. If this goal is to be met. The maternal and child health/family planning targets outlined for 1984-89 in the 7th General Program of Work must be fulfilled.