The leading causes of death among young children under the age of five in low-income countries have been identified as newborn illnesses, diarrhea, respiratory diseases, malaria, measles, and, in certain developing nations, AIDS. More than half (56%) of all child fatalities are caused by underlying hunger and undernutrition. Children must have optimal physical and intellectual development in order to study and reach their full potential in society. Preventive and curative treatments at all levels, as well as enhanced health and education systems, are among the solutions. Improved health and nutrition will contribute to increased economic growth, but a poverty emphasis looks to be critical if poor people are not to be more neglected. The impact of education, particularly girls' education, in improving children's health and nutrition and spacing births is now obvious, as is enhancing women's status. Increases in female status and education are thought to be responsible for half of the decline in child malnutrition rates over the last 25 years.