Child and adolescent health and development progress report 2004-2005

This report gives an overview of the accomplishments and directions of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development during 2004-2005. A priority health and development issue that the department identifies is improving newborn care and survival. It estimates that 40 per cent of child deaths occur among newborns, most of which are attributable to early delivery, suffocation during or just after birth, and severe infection. The report highlights activities that the department has undertaken including to improve newborn survival including refining a framework to assist the development of national strategies in countries with high rates of neonatal mortality.

The report draws attention to areas in which the department has made significant progress in 2004-2005. These include: strengthening appropriate feeding practices; preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and refining, expanding, monitoring and evaluating the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach. These issues are discussed in relation to the department’s main areas of work which include research, influencing policy and monitoring and evaluating activities. The report also provides examples of collaboration and partnerships between the Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development and other WHO departments and organisations.