16 May 2013: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the World Health Statistics 2013, showing substantial progress towards meeting several health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDG), in particular in the poorest countries. The trends also indicate that current rates of progress will not be sufficient to achieve the MDGs on reducing child and maternal mortality.

The World Heath Statistics provide a yearly compilation and analysis of health-related data of the 194 WHO member states, including a summary of the progress made on health-related MDGs and associated targets.

Current rates of progress will allow achieving the target of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. Furthermore, the world has already achieved the target on access to safe drinking water, while further progress is needed to achieve the sanitation target. Rates of progress are insufficient to achieve the targets on reducing child and maternal mortality. Progress also was achieved on reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases, including dengue fever.

The Statistics also show a number of other key trends, including: a reduction in the gap between the countries with the worst and the best health status; and trends with regard to preterm births, diabetes and access to medicines. [WHO Press Release] [UN Press Release] [Publication: World Health Statistics 2013]