Contents foreword The state of the world's children by Anthony Lake , Executive Director, UNICEF vi Introduction reaching every Why focus on equity now? 3 child: The promise Meeting the equity imperative 5 of equity pages viii–7 01 Child health: Patterns and risks of child mortality 10 a fair start in life Prospects for child survival 12 pages 8–39 inequities in child survival 13 disparities in access and quality of care 20 low-cost interventions can make a difference 21 reaching the most vulnerable 21 What if the gaps are not closed? 24 equity objectives 26 high return on health investments 26 Benefits of universal health coverage 29 adequate and equitable financing 34 Power in partnerships 37 The STaTe of The World’S Children 2016 ii