Malaria, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, tubercu- losis—such frightening diseases are a harsh reality for millions around the world. But they can be stopped, and it can be done in our life- time. These numbers from the Living Proof Project show the progress being made for global health—and how far we still have to go.
The Good News
- In the past nine years, vaccination efforts have decreased measles deaths by more than 74 percent.
- Thanks to bed nets, insecticides and treatment services, Zambia has cut malaria cases in half.
- The total number of child deaths declined from 12.5 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008.
- The total number of child deaths declined from 12.5 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008.
The Bad News
- Up to 70 percent of newborn deaths could be prevented through inexpensive medical means.
- More than 2 billion people are infected with parasitic worms (helminths).
- Pneumonia still causes more than 2 million infant and child deaths each year.
- 21 percent of children don’t have access to needed vaccines.
