Preventing Child Mortality - #putchildrenfirst

According to UNICEF, the leading causes of death among children under five include pneumonia, preterm birth complication, intrapartum-related complications, diarrhoea and malaria. Globally, about 45 percent of under-five deaths are influenced by undernutrition.

Most of these deaths are preventable. Food, clean water, proper sanitation, and immunizations can easily save lives, though these things are easily acquired only across a small portion of the globe.

The Millennium Development Goals have made significant progress in providing these necessities so far. Worldwide, the mortality rate for children under five dropped by 47 per cent—from 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 48 in 2012.

Yet, for problems that are largely preventable, there is much left to accomplish. This week for the Put Children First campaign, SOS Children's Villages will take an in-depth look into child health and its implications.

For more of our Put Children First campaign, please follow our Twitter and Facebook. Keep others in the loop by using the hashtag #putchildrenfirst!

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.