Complications linked to prematurity, birth asphyxia or infections caused the death, which could in some cases be prevented, of 2022 children under 75.647 years of age in Europe in 5, according to a World Health Organization report published today.
Congenital heart disease and neonatal sepsis are among the five leading causes of these deaths, according to this report, which covers 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, including the 27 EU member states, and 930 million people.
"Many infants and children still die unnecessarily before their fifth birthday," wrote WHO Europe in its three-year report.
In the European region, home to some of the strongest health systems in the world, there is stagnation or even decline in a number of indicators, particularly in the health of children and adolescents, the WHO stressed.
Although the mortality rate among children under 5 remains very low in Europe, differences between countries are notable. In most EU countries, there are 1,5 to 4,1 deaths per 1.000 births, while in Turkmenistan and Tajikistan the rate is 18,2 to 40,4.
"Reducing this gap remains a challenge," the WHO stressed.
However, other issues related to the health of children and adolescents are also recorded in Europe: one in five adolescents suffers from some psychological condition, suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 29, and girls consistently report a lower level of mental health than boys.
Moreover, 15% of teenagers say they have been a victim of online harassment, one in 10 teenagers aged 13 to 15 smokes, and almost one in three children reached the age of six being overweight, while one in eight children was obese.
"In our online and connected world, our young people are feeling paradoxically lonelier than ever. Many of them are struggling to manage their weight and self-confidence, which is worsening their health in adulthood," warned Hans Kluge, director of WHO Europe.
The organization has begun consultations with its 53 member countries to determine the priorities and action to be taken over the next five years.
Source: protothema
