‘A Future for the World’s Children' Report

WHY IN NEWS?

India ranks 131 among 180 countries in terms of best chance at survival for its children, states a WHO-UNICEF-Lancet report – ‘A Future for the World’s Children’

ABOUT THE REPORT

• The report ‘A Future for the World’s Children’ has been released by a Commission of more than 40 child and adolescent health experts from around the world.
• The Commission was convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and The Lancet.
• The report, titled ‘A Future for the World’s Children?’, finds that the health and future of every child and adolescent worldwide is under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change and exploitative marketing practices that push heavily processed fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco at them.
• The index shows that children in Norway, the Republic of Korea and the Netherlands have the best chance at survival and well-being, while children in the Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, Niger and Mali face the worst odds.
• In the report assessing the capacity of 180 countries, India stands 77th (sustainability index) and is at 131st position on a ranking that measures the best chance at survival and well-being for children.
• The report says although India has improved in health and sanitation, it has to increase its spending on health.
• It also cautions that globally, the number of children and adolescents who are obese has increased from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 2016 — an 11-fold increase.
• An estimated 250 million children under five in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential.
• Moreover, every child worldwide now faces existential threats from climate change and commercial pressures.

Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the report ‘A Future for the World’s Children?’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It has been released by a Commission convened by the World Economic Forum (WEF), UNDP and The Lancet
2. It finds that no single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and their future
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question