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Invisible Lives: The Fight for Identity
29 May
Summary
- Nearly half of all global deaths go unrecorded annually.
- Unrecorded births deny legal identity and essential rights.
- Documentation aids public health by tracking vital statistics.
Photographer Juan Arredondo's "The Uncounted" project sheds light on the critical issue of individuals lacking vital records like birth or death certificates. Globally, an estimated 25% of births and nearly half of all deaths go unrecorded annually, leaving millions without legal identities and essential rights.
These unrecorded events have significant public health implications. Jennifer Ellis of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Data for Health Initiative explains that missing data on births and deaths, especially causes of premature mortality, hinders efforts to track diseases and implement effective health policies. This lack of documentation can obscure emerging health threats and prevent timely interventions.
The project collaborated with organizations like Bloomberg Philanthropies' Data for Health Initiative, Vital Strategies, and the CDC Foundation. Arredondo's work aims to underscore the importance of vital records for both individual well-being and public health infrastructure, illustrating the transformation from being uncounted to being officially recognized.
