Child Mortality by Jaime Vega

Imagine a life where your parents never celebrated your 5th birthday. Where you never went to your first day of pre-school. Unfortunately, this was the situation for 5.9 million children who died before the age of five in 2015. These children were stripped of a potentially enriching future because they weren't raised properly. But what is at fault here, the parents or society? 

            According to the WHO, inequities in child mortality between high-income and low-income countries remain large. In 2015, the under-five mortality rate in low-income countries was 76 deaths per 1000 live births; about 11 times the average rate in high-income countries that was 7 deaths per 1000 live births. This proves the fact that countries that are underdeveloped are more likely to have their children die at an early age. WHO also states “Many countries still have very high under-five mortality, particularly those in African Region, home to 6 of the 7 countries with an under-five mortality rate above 100 deaths per 1000 live births.” In fact, 1 in 8 children in Africa die before they turn 5 years old. Coincidence? I think not.

            However, these are things that are happening worldwide, despite the most of it happening in one continent in particular. So why are things like the new Kardashian boyfriend getting more attention than this? These are almost 6 million kids within a year that are losing their opportunity for a good life, and it’s not even fair because it’s not their fault. If these aren’t the things that matter, then what are they?

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