Countdown collects and analyses data from the 68 countries that account for at least 95% of maternal and child deaths. It produces country profiles that present coverage data for a range of key health services, including:
• Contraceptive use.
• Antenatal care.
• Skilled attendance at delivery.
• Postnatal care.
• Child health.
• Financial investments in maternal, newborn and child health.
• Equity of access, health systems and policy.
The 2010 report reviews progress over 2000–2010 and concludes that achieving MDGs 4 and 5 is
still possible by the deadline year 2015, but only a dramatic acceleration of political commitment
and financial investment can make it happen.
There is good news. Many countries are making progress, reducing mortality and increasing coverage of effective health interventions at an accelerating pace.
But the news is not all good. Many Countdown countries are still off track for achieving MDGs 4 and 5 and are not increasing coverage of key health interventions quickly enough. Countdown countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are especially far behind, although a few have shown improvements.
The vast majority of maternal and child deaths are preventable. But unacceptably large numbers of women, newborns and children are still dying each year in Countdown countries.
Check out the Countdown to 2015 website for the full report available also in Spanish and French, download the report in sections, country profiles, executive summaries, past reports and much more!