2.1 Contemporary health issues around the world

The previous content relates to the health conditions that prevail in high-income countries. In low-income countries, children can have similar health conditions. However, low-income countries will have higher numbers of children and families living in poverty, which increases the chances of poorer health. The impact of communicable diseases in low-income countries affects children disproportionately with diarrhoea and pneumonia the leading causes of death in babies and young children. There are several reasons why this is the case, for example, lack of clean water and poor sanitation and lack of access to immunisation programmes all contribute to children being more vulnerable. In addition, inadequate nutrition can make children susceptible to infection. Interestingly, childhood obesity is a health concern in low-income countries.