A/70/213
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to
the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical
and mental health
Summary
The prevention of child mortality should remain a global priority. But beyond
sheer survival, children have a right to thrive, develop in a holistic way to their full
potential and enjoy good physical and mental health in a sustainable world. The
present report argues that early childhood, a crucial time for effective investments in
individual and societal health, must receive significantly more attention and a more
adequate response from all relevant actors, including in the post -2015 agenda.
Contents
Page
I.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
II.
Progress in relation to child survival and the right to health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
A.
Scale and causes of under-5 mortality and morbidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
B.
Progress in reducing under-5 mortality and morbidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
C.
Human rights-based approach to addressing under-5 mortality and morbidity . . . . . . . . .
5
Early childhood development and the right to the highest attainable standard of health . . . . . .
7
A.
Health and promotion of early childhood development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
B.
Progress in early childhood development and health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
C.
Right to health obligations to promote early childhood development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Early childhood development in the context of the right to health framework . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
A.
Health care and other health-related services essential for early childhood development
11
B.
Underlying determinants of the right to health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
C.
Equality and non-discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
D.
Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
E.
Accountability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
F.
Obligations on the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
A.
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
B.
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
III.
IV.
V.
2/25
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