[Analysis on under-5 mortality rate and the leading kinds of diseases in China, from 2000 to 2006].

OBJECTIVE

To study the changing pattern of infant mortality and under-5 mortality rate in China from 2000 to 2006, and to evaluate China's progress in achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal 4.

METHODS

A population-based survey was conducted through a nationwide multi-level surveillance network. The mortality rate and the proportion of death for children under 5 were analyzed.

RESULTS

The infant mortality rate (IMR), under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) in China dropped to 17.2, 20.6 per 1000 live births in 2006, respectively, comparing to 32.2 and 39.7 per 1000 live births in 2000. In urban areas, IMR, U5MR dropped to 8.0, 9.6 per 1000 live births in 2006, respectively while they were 11.8 and 13.8 per 1000 live births respectively in 2000. In rural areas, IMR, U5MR dropped to 19.7 and 23.6 per 1000 live births in 2006, respectively but they were 37.0 and 45.7 per 1000 live births respectively in 2000. During this period, the mortality rates due to pneumonia and diarrhea had dropped sharply. The proportion of deaths due to pneumonia, diarrhea also dropped from 19.5%, 4.9% in 2000 to 15.6%, 3.7% in 2006, respectively. In urban areas, the proportion of deaths due to pneumonia dropped from 9.9% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006, In rural areas, the proportion of deaths due to pneumonia, diarrhea dropped from 20.1%, 5.2% in 2000 to 16.2%, 4.0% in 2006, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The U5MR in China remarkably dropped from 2000 to 2006. Based on data through the surveillance program, China should be able to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals 4 of the United Nations as planned.