RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MORTALITY AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0 TO 17 IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN FOR THE PERIOD 2015–2024

Abstract

The right to health is recognized as one of the fundamental human rights. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) serves as a key instrument in realizing this right and is an integral part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UHC is reflected in Goal 3, “Good Health and Well-being” (target 3.8) [1].

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is one of the most important indicators of healthcare effectiveness and reflects the socio-economic development of a country [2]. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the annual mortality rate among children aged 5–14 years is approximately 7 per 1,000 children [3]. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), mortality among individuals aged 5 to 24 years has been declining globally; since 1990, the mortality rate in this age group has decreased by 48% [4]. However, the global trend toward reduced child mortality shows significant regional differences. For instance, the survival rate among individuals aged 5 to 24 years in Sub-Saharan Africa is 46%, while South Asian countries report a rate of 22% [4]. Mortality among children under the age of five exceeds that of the 5–24 age group: in 2023, global under-five mortality reached 4.8 million, meaning that approximately 13 thousand children under five die every day worldwide [5]. Studies show that the level of education of both parents plays an important role in the survival of young children [6].