Healthy Women Healthy Families
Helping where it’s most needed
Healthy Women Healthy Families assists health programs of PC(USA) partner churches in four sub-Saharan countries: Malawi, the Republic of South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In each of these nations there is extreme need, strong partner church relationships, and mission co-workers serving with our partners. The health services supported through Healthy Women Healthy Families are those that address the particular needs of women and children. Because of chronic poverty, lack of access to health services, and their role in families and communities, women are particularly vulnerable to serious health problems. Children in poor communities fall victim to conditions that harm the young, such as malaria, intestinal diseases and injuries. Healthy Women Healthy Families helps partner churches offer compassionate, Christ-centered prevention and care.
Malawi
Population: 15.8 million
(45% under age 14)
Life Expectancy: 51.7
Infant Mortality 81 deaths/1,000 live births
(U.S. rate: 6 deaths per 1,000)
Children under age 5 underweight: 15.5%
Female literacy: 49.8%
Rural access to improved drinking water: 77%
Rural access to improved sanitation facilities: 57%
Child Marriage: 53% before age 18
*Human Development Index: 171 (187 is lowest)
Republic of South Sudan
Population: 8.2 million
(44% under age 14)
Infant Mortality 102 deaths/1,000 live births
(U.S. rate: 6 deaths per 1,000)
Female literacy: 16%
Rural access to improved drinking water: 53%
Because the Republic of South Sudan is a new nation, some data is not available.
Ethiopia
Population: 90.8 million
(46% under age 14)
Life Expectancy: 56.1
Infant Mortality 77 deaths/1,000 live births
(U.S. rate: 6 deaths per 1,000)
Children under age 5 underweight: 34.6 %
Female literacy: 35.1%
Rural access to improved drinking water: 26%
Rural access to improved sanitation facilities: 8%
Child Marriage: 24% before age 15
*Human Development Index: 174 (187 is lowest)
Congo
Population: 71.7 million
(44.4% under age 14)
Life Expectancy: 55.3
Infant Mortality 78 deaths/1,000 live births
(U.S. rate: 6 deaths per 1,000)
Children under age 5 underweight: 28.2 %
Female literacy: 54.1%
Rural access to improved drinking water: 28%
Rural access to improved sanitation facilities: 23%
Child Marriage: 8% before age 15
*Human Development Index: 187 (187 is lowest)
The Human Development Index is an international comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education and standard of living. In 2011 the HDI list included 185 nations plus Hong Kong and the Palestinian territories.
