Reaching Children in Need to Beat Pneumonia and Diarrhea

Today, November 12, is World Pneumonia Day. We know that only 31 percent of children with pneumonia receive proper antibiotics, and 99 percent of pneumonia deaths occur in developing countries. Pneumonia is not a problem without solutions, but the known solutions must reach children in need. Pneumonia can be prevented by feeding children micronutrient-rich foods, encouraging frequent handwashing, and improving indoor air quality through well-ventilated cooking areas. Most of all, the disease can be prevented by ensuring all children are vaccinated on schedule and treated promptly and appropriately if signs of pneumonia appear.

Next week, we will recognize World Toilet Day on November 19. Many of the steps necessary to avoid pneumonia, like handwashing and routine immunization, also protect children from diarrhea. USAID is working with partners and governments globally to roll out the “Global Action Plan for Prevention and Treatment of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea.”

We know how to save children from pneumonia and diarrhea; we need to ensure that the interventions and tools are available to those most in need. Too many children around the world are still dying of these preventable diseases, and addressing them is a big part of our work to end preventable child and maternal deaths.

• Learn more about USAID’s work in maternal and child health.
• Read USAID’s Acting on the Call report to learn about our efforts in 24 maternal and child health priority countries.
• Follow the conversation on Twitter using #WorldPneumoniaDay2014.
• Read the USAID Impact Blog article “You Can’t Save Lives if You Don’t Fight Pneumonia” from USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Program.

Photo credit: Warren Zelman/MSH