Reaching gender parity by 2005 was among the principal development goals at the United Nations Millennium Summit meeting three years ago, along with reducing infant mortality and hunger.
Biodiversity and ecosystems are under pressure from population rises in part – so education for girls and reducing infant morality are the priorities".
The figures have so concerned the city's health commissioner, Dr. Neal L. Cohen, that he has made reducing infant mortality one of his top priorities for this year.
Recent research shows that the most effective way of reducing birth rates is through female education, which also has a significant impact on reducing infant mortality.
— For decades, Mississippi and neighboring states with large black populations and expanses of enduring poverty made steady progress in reducing infant death.
According to the Amref project officer for health, Joseph Otim, properly planned families are seen as one way of reducing infant and maternal mortality.
"Every single thing that happens to women before, during and after her pregnancy is key to reducing infant deaths," Hykes added.
Rich countries have proclaimed ambitious development goals: cutting poverty in half, reducing infant mortality by two-thirds and providing universal primary education by 2015.
For example, the goal of reducing infant mortality among lower social classes, more prevalent than higher up the scale, initially appears laudable.
Pumping clean water into villages and slums, and encouraging hand-washing is considered one of the most efficient means of reducing infant mortality.
He worked particularly hard to expand city-financed programs aimed at reducing infant mortality, training welfare recipients for work and coaching parents to get involved in schools.
