Definition: The Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is the probability of a child born in a specific year or period dying before reaching the age of five, expressed per 1,000 live births. It serves as a crucial indicator of child survival and overall population health.
The U5MR encompasses deaths occurring during the neonatal period (first 28 days), infancy (up to 1 year), and early childhood (1 to 4 years). It reflects the combined impact of various factors on child health, including socioeconomic conditions, maternal health, nutrition, and access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation. Common causes of under-five deaths include preventable and treatable infectious diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, often exacerbated by malnutrition and complications arising from preterm birth or birth asphyxia. Data for calculating U5MR typically originates from vital registration systems, demographic and health surveys (DHS), multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS), and population censuses.
In public health, the U5MR is a highly sensitive measure of a country’s development, the strength of its health systems, and the effectiveness of its policies aimed at child well-being. It is a key indicator for tracking progress towards global health targets, most notably Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, which aims to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030. High U5MRs often highlight significant health disparities, indicating areas where vulnerable populations lack access to essential interventions such as immunization, skilled birth attendance, postnatal care, and adequate nutrition. Monitoring this rate allows public health professionals and policymakers to identify critical areas for intervention, allocate resources effectively, and evaluate the impact of child survival programs.
Key Context:
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The probability of dying between birth and exactly one year of age, representing a significant component of U5MR.
- Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): Deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life, a critical component of both IMR and U5MR.
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2: A global target to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030.