Progress by goals
How has the WPR performed with respect to some of the health and health-related indicators? The succeeding analysis used information published in the Health-related Millennium Development Goals 2005 by the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regional Offices. The selection of countries and areas was primarily constrained by data availability, unless otherwise specified. By intent, the review focused on the Region; there was no attempt to compare progress with that of other regions or countries outside the Region. Progress was compared against targets set for each of the MDG.
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Figure 1. Halving the prevalence of underweight, 1990, 2001 & Target 2015
The health-related target for the poverty reduction goal is to get by one half the number of people who suffer from hunger. Underweight and undernourishment are both indicators. Figure 1 shows the prevalence of underweight among children who are under five years of age in 15 countries and areas in the Region. As of 2001, Malaysia (MAA), China (CHN) and Samoa (SMA) appear to have achieved the target, while Viet Nam (VTN) seems to be on track. On the contrary, almost one half of the countries and areas need to put special attention to eradicating malnutrition. The 2001 prevalence rates in Fiji (FIJ), Lao People's Democratic Republic (LAO) and Mongolia (MOG) essentially did not change compared to their 1990 level. Kiribati (KIR), Marshall Islands (MSI), Micronesia (MIC), and Tonga (TON) show a reverse trend.