The State of the World’s Children, 2008 has been released by UNICEF.
The report examines child survival and primary health care for mothers, newborns and children today. Refugee children are highlighted throughout the report. Some of the key findings (from the Executive Summary) include:
The need to focus on the countries and communities where child mortality rates and levels are highest, and on those hat are most at risk of missing out on essential primary health care.
The merits of packaging essential services together to improve the coverage and efficacy of interventions.
The vital importance of community partnerships in actively engaging community members as health workers and mobilizing the community in support of improved health practices.
The imperative of providing a continuum of care across the life cycle, linking households and communities with outreach and extension services and facility-based care.
The benefits of a strategic, results-oriented approach to health-system development with maternal, newborn and child care as a central part.
The crucial role of political commitment, national and international leadership and sustained financing in strengthening health systems.
The necessity for greater harmonization of global health programmes and partnerships.
For more information, including statistical tables, charts, graphs, photographs, regional reports, how to order hard copies, and special panel reports on child mortality, newborn survival, child health in complex medical emergencies, and birth registration (to name only a few) see the UNICEF webpage.
