Brazil |
Health Goals
 |
Reduce child mortality |
|
1990 |
2000 |
2005 |
Mortality rate of infant in first 28 days (per 1,000 live births) |
50 |
35 |
31 |
Mortality rate under 5 (per 1,000 live births) |
60 |
39 |
33 |
Immunization for measles (by 2 years old) |
78 |
99 |
99 |
Figures from Worldbank development indicators database/UNICEF State of the World’s Children 2007
Challenges
Although there are some 62 million Brazilians under the age of 18, only a fraction of the national budget is allocated to programmes benefiting children. Despite this Brazil will reach Goal 4 if progress continues as at present, with an expected under 5 mortality rate down to 18 per 1,000 live births by 2015. To make sure this happens deaths for children under 1 year old must fall across all regions of the country. The table below shows in which regions infant mortality is highest:Infant Mortality rates in 2001
Total |
0-6 days |
7-27 days |
28-364 days |
|
Brazil |
27.4 |
14.0 |
3.8 |
9.6 |
North |
28.1 |
14.7 |
3.7 |
9.7 |
North East |
43.0 |
21.4 |
4.9 |
16.7 |
South East |
18.2 |
9.5 |
3.0 |
5.8 |
South |
16.4 |
8.2 |
2.4 |
5.8 |
Centre West |
20.9 |
11.3 |
3.3 |
6.3 |
- Some 12 million children live in the semi-dry region comprising Brazil’s most vulnerable and poorest states. Infant mortality here is high
Changes
One effort to assist families in Brazil’s poorest regions has been made by UNICEF and its partners who have developed a Kit for Strengthening Brazilian Families that contains easy-to-understand information about nutrition, hygiene, protection and early childhood development. Some 2.4 million families have received these childcare kits, and almost 23,000 health-care workers have been trained in the principles on which they are based.
National Pact reaffirms Brazil’s commitment to 13 million children in impoverished areas (pdf)
 |
Improve maternal health |
|
1990 |
2000 |
2005 |
Births attended by skilled health staff |
72 |
96 |
N/A |
Maternal mortality (estimated per 100,000 live births) |
260 |
Figures from Worldbank development indicators database/UNICEF State of the World’s Children 2007
Challenges
- Compared to WHO guidelines there are too many, caesarean births. In 2002 they accounted for almost half of the total hospital childbirths in some Brazilian states.
- Abortion carried out in unsafe conditions is among the main causes of maternal death, since it is often followed by severe complications, aggravated by the delay in seeking health services.
- Another concern is the health of adolescents. In 2001, data showed that 22% of the total of live births in the country were born to mothers aged between 15 and 19 years. This was higher in the North 28.9%, Northeast 24.9% and Centre-West 24.4% than in the South 20.3% and the Southeast 19.2%
Changes
In March 2004, the government launched the National Pact for Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality, whose objective was to reduce by 15% the maternal and neonatal mortality rates, by the end of 2006. 28 strategic actions were included in the
pact including the following:
- To guarantee at least the minimum number of prenatal appointments and tests
- To guarantee that women and newborns are not refused assistance in the services nor have to run about in search of it;
- To qualify and humanize delivery, birth, legal abortion or the consequences of unsafe abortion
 |
Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases |
|
1990 |
2000 |
2005 |
Prevalence of HIV (15-49 years old) |
0.5 |
||
TB (per 100,000 people) |
92 |
69 |
60 |
Malaria |
Figures from Worldbank development indicators database/UNICEF State of the World’s Children 2007
Challenges
There are approximately 620,000 Brazilians living with HIV/AIDS. Bold government action has successfully slowed the epidemic, although prevalence is rising among young women.
Changes
The AIDS mortality rates originally began to decline in 1995, when stronger antiretroviral therapies were made available in the market, and the Brazilian policy for universal and free access to antiretroviral drugs was established All patients are eligible for free antiretroviral treatment. L
As part of the high-profile ‘Unite for Children Unite Against AIDS’ campaign, the Brazilian government and UNICEF are working together to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS by the end of 2007.
The Brazilian government is now buying generic antiretroviral drugs from India which are cheaper. See pdf article
