Doctors
General Public
Medical
Students
Main
Page
![](_borders/marketing.gif)
| |
Vital Information
About Dr Zahid Masood
Polio Cases Drop by 99% from 1988 to 2000
The global campaign to eradicate polio by the year 2000 has
neared its goal, with a 99% decrease in the estimated number of cases. National
Immunization Days and " days of tranquility ", when areas of conflict
observe a truce to allow immunization teams to work, have facilitated the
vaccination of hundreds of millions of children worldwide. Still, not until all
are immunized and all countries are declared polio-free for three consecutive
years can it be said that the disease has been fully conquered.
Year |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1995 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Estimated cases |
3,45,000 |
2,61,000 |
2,34,000 |
60,000 |
19,000 |
11,000 |
10,000 |
4,000 |
Source: WHO
Percent of Primary School Children Enrolled in or Attending School, 1990s
Primary education provides the fundamental skills, such as literacy and numeracy,
that are essential for everyday life. Girls, who once lagged far behind boys in
school attendance, have now reached parity or near parity in many of the world's
countries, thus providing them with some of the tools needed to make decisions
about their own lives.
Countries |
Boys |
Girls |
South Asia |
74 |
68 |
Middle East |
84 |
77 |
Latin America |
92 |
91 |
Industrialized Countries |
96 |
96 |
Source: UNICEF, UNESCO
Percent of Children Living Below Poverty, Mid-1990s
The estimation of poverty is fundamental to the health and welfare of youth.
Today, significant problems remain. Poverty (here defined as half the median
national income) has increased in many countries of Eastern Europe and the
former Soviet Union and, even in industrialized countries, too many youth live
below poverty.
Country |
Percentage |
Country |
Percentage |
Country |
Percentage |
Sweden |
3 |
Israel |
12 |
United Kingdom |
20 |
Czech Republic |
6 |
Japan |
12 |
Italy |
21 |
France |
8 |
Australia |
13 |
USA |
22 |
Hungary |
10 |
Poland |
15 |
Former USSR |
26 |
Germany |
11 |
Canada |
16 |
Mexico |
26 |
Source: Luxembourg Income Study, OECD, UNICEF
Under Age Five Mortality Rate, World Regions, 1990 and 2000
Infant and child mortality are key indicators of the health of children, with
the level of the death rate under five (U5MR) often a result of health care
delivery from early pregnancy to the postnatal period. While many regions did
make progress on lowering under-five mortality, the regions with the lowest
rates showed the greatest progress.
Year |
World |
Developing countries |
Middle East |
South Asia |
East Asia |
Latin America |
USSR |
Industrialized countries |
1990 |
93 |
103 |
80 |
128 |
58 |
53 |
45 |
9 |
2000 |
83 |
91 |
64 |
100 |
44 |
37 |
38 |
6 |
Source: UNICEF
Percent of Infants Less than Four Months of Age Exclusively
Breastfed 1995-2000
The importance of breast feeding very young children cannot be over-emphasized
as it provides vital nutrients and protects against infection. No other foods or
liquids are required during the first six months of a baby's life and indeed,
other forms of feeding are likely to rob the child of proper nutrition and
resistance to disease. Still, today, only about half or less of infants are
exclusively breasted in developing regions.
Countries |
Percentage |
Countries |
Percentage |
Developing countries |
46 |
Middle East |
45 |
Least developed countries |
37 |
Latin America |
38 |
East Asia |
57 |
sub-Saharan Africa |
33 |
South Asia |
49 |
former USSR |
17 |
Source: UNICEF
Percent of 15-Year-olds Who Report Smoking Daily 1997/1998
As the leading cause of lung cancer across the world, smoking is
a serious public health concern. Even more worrisome are the increasing numbers
of teenage smokers in the industrialized countries of Europe and North America.
Since 1994, the overall percentage of 15-year-olds who smoke daily has risen
from 12 to 16 percent, with the sharpest increases among girls.
Gender |
Germany |
Hungary |
France |
Canada |
Israel |
Russia |
Boys (%) |
22 |
29 |
20 |
17 |
17 |
20 |
Girls (%) |
25 |
20 |
25 |
21 |
7 |
14 |
Source: World Health Organization
Percent Population Using an Improved Method of Sanitary Disposal
1990 and 2000
A key factor in disease prevention, alomg with a safe water supply, is
an effective means of sanitary disposal. These factors have been shown to
greatly reduce child deaths, illnesses and malnutrition. The incidence of
diarrhea can be reduced by 22 percent and deaths due to diarrhea by 65%. Only in
Asia were there dramatic gains since 1990, but, in Asia the level remained quite
low.
Year |
Sub-Saharan Africa |
Middle East |
South Asia |
East Asia & Pacific |
Latin America |
1990 |
54 |
72 |
22 |
26 |
72 |
2000 |
53 |
83 |
34 |
48 |
77 |
Source: World Health Organization, UNICEF
|