Child Health in Low-Resource Countries

The initial years of a child’s life are the most important in terms of their health, development and their future, as well as their own children’s future. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states: ‘Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment and education on health and well-being so that children can stay healthy’. Whilst substantial progress has been made in reducing global child mortality, there are significant health disparities between countries across the world and within countries themselves. This chapter explores the issues facing child health in low-resource countries (LRCs).