Remarkable financial and political efforts have been focused on the reduction of child mortality during the past few decades. Timely measurements of levels and trends in under-5 mortality are important to assess progress towards the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG 4) target of reduction of child mortality by two thirds from 1990 to 2015, and to identify models of success. This study is published by The Lancet look at the progress of UN Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on lowering child and maternal death rates in developing countries.

The fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG 5) established the goal of a 75% reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR; number of maternal deaths per 100 000 livebirths) between 1990 and 2015. Aimed to measure levels and track trends in maternal mortality, the key causes contributing to maternal death, and timing of maternal death with respect to delivery. This study is published by The Lancet look at the progress of UN Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on lowering child and maternal death rates in developing countries.