The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its 2014 edition of World Health Statistics, which compiles health-related data for the 194 countries that are members of the WHO. Additionally, it includes progress updates on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as other public health goals related to maternal death, childhood obesity, and life expectancy.

According to USA Today, this new report shows that people around the world are living longer. Specifically, some of the poorer countries have made large advances in life expectancy. Globally, the average life expectancy is 73 for women and 68 for men, which is six more years than it was in 1990.

The U.S. does better than the average, with a life expectancy of 81 for women and 76 for men, but the U.S. is still ranked at number 37 in the world. For women, Japan has the highest life expectancy at 87 years. For men, Iceland has the highest life expectancy at just over 81 years. Several countries have seen double-digit improvements, including Liberia up to 62 from 42, Ethiopia up to 64 from 45, and Cambodia up to 72 from 54.

One of the reasons for improvement is a reduction in infant and child mortality. Between 1990 and 2012, mortality in children under 5 years of age declined by 47 percent, from an estimated rate of 90 deaths per 1,000 live births to 48 deaths per 1000 live births. This translates into 17,000 fewer children dying every day in 2012 than in 1990.

Additionally, the health of these children is improving as indicated by markers such as being underweight. Around the world, and most markedly in Africa and Southeast Asia, the prevalence of children under the age of 5 that are underweight has been decreasing. More improvements have been seen in treatment for HIV/AIDS and reduction of diseases most commonly seen in poorer countries such as tuberculosis and leprosy.