18 Every child born in Ireland has access to free vaccines, which is why life expectancy here is 81.5 years.
In Sierra Leone only 60 per cent of the population has access to clean water, leading to deaths from diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera. This is why life expectancy in Sierra Leone is just 51 years.
Life expectancy:
the average number of years a person is expected to live.
: Figure 18.6 Maternity hospitals in the developing and developed worlds. Left: Malawi; Right: Ireland ACT VITY
Work in groups of four. Look at the photographs above of maternity hospitals in Malawi and Ireland. Discuss the differences.
Education
Education leads to lower birth and death rates. If people are educated they are more likely to have smaller families. They understand family planning methods better and raise healthier children. Educated people often know more about a healthy diet, personal hygiene and sanitation and how all of these things can help their children to live long, healthy lives. This is why education is a priority in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Family planning:
the awareness of birth control, and the planning and spacing of the number of children that a family might want.
In Ireland all children have access to education where they learn about healthy living and family planning. People choose to have smaller families so that they can balance family life with a career.
In Sierra Leone, even though the government recognises the importance of education, just 65 per cent of children finish primary school. This is a huge concern because access to education helps to reduce poverty and can help in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
