WHO: Young child deaths down a third since 1990

[May 22, 2009]  GENEVA (AP) -- The World Health Organization says almost a third fewer young children are dying than in 1990.

The global health body says about 9 million children under 5 years old died in 2007, the last year with figures available.

WHO says the number of under-5 deaths was 12.5 million in 1990.

The Geneva-based body says the 27 percent drop shows progress in achieving a two-thirds cut in deaths by 2015. That is one of the U.N.'s "Millennium Development Goals."

The figures were among more than 100 health trends published Thursday by the World Health Organization.

[Associated Press]

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