World Pneumonia Day – November 2, 2009
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| Source: B.B. Karki/JSI |
November 2, 2009, marks the first-ever World Pneumonia Day. Pneumonia is a preventable and treatable disease, but it still remains the number-one killer of children in the developing world. Pneumonia kills more than 2 million children under 5 each year – more than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. The United States and countries around the world are observing this day as an opportunity to raise global awareness of pneumonia and reaffirm the commitment to save the lives of children.
On World Pneumonia Day, the United States unites with countries and communities across the globe in the fight against pneumonia. We commemorate World Pneumonia Day with the hope of a better future for all children. Celebrations of the Day will kick off with a Global Pneumonia Summit in New York City gathering scientists, political leaders, donors, and public health organizations to discuss pneumonia prevention, treatment, and other ways to protect children. Read more about the rallies, races, conferences, radio campaigns, and other activities to commemorate the first-ever World Pneumonia Day and follow the events on the World Pneumonia Day Facebook page.
Background
In 2009, President Obama announced the Global Health Initiative, a six-year, $63 billion commitment including a priority on maternal and child health. World Pneumonia Day is intended to bring global focus to the disease and to the efforts toward preventing the millions of deaths it causes each year. The Day was established by the Global Coalition Against Pneumonia, a partnership comprised of international nongovernmental organizations, faith-based groups, professional societies, and academic and medical institutions. It is also an opportunity for the United States to highlight its commitment to children and improving global public health.
What Causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Two major causes of the disease are Haemophilius influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal infections. Children under 5 years of age and the elderly have the greatest risk of infection. Health and environmental factors including poor nutrition, AIDS, malaria, influenza, exposure to indoor air pollution, and tobacco smoke put children at higher risk for pneumonia.
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| Source: © 2006 Ben Barber, Courtesy of Photoshare |
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What Can Be Done?
Pneumonia is preventable and treatable, despite its high prevalence in developing countries. Measures identified that can help protect children from pneumonia include exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, good nutrition, hand washing, and reducing exposure to indoor air pollution and tobacco smoke. In addition, safe, effective vaccines are available that prevent two of the major causes of severe pneumonia: pneumococcus and Hib. Unfortunately, children in developing countries often lack access to these vaccines due to high cost. Treatment with antibiotics can be lifesaving, if administered quickly and safely to children in need, but only 1 out of every 5 children who have pneumonia receives antibiotics. An appropriate course of treatment costs just $0.27 on average. Research has shown that antibiotics can be delivered both in clinics and in community settings by trained health workers.
What is USAID Doing to Help?
USAID supported the Basic Support for Institutionalizing Child Survival (BASICS) project for almost 15 years, and now funds the successor Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP) as well as numerous bilateral country health programs that include a focus on reducing pneumonia mortality. USAID also works closely with multilateral, other bilateral, and nongovernmental partners to leverage resources and commitment in support of these efforts. USAID programs include comprehensive strategies and targeted interventions to reduce child illness and death, focusing specifically on pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and malnutrition – the leading killers of children in the developing world – and also strengthening health systems to sustainably deliver these interventions. USAID's assistance, combined with the efforts of numerous international, national, and private sector partners, contributes to the trained health workers’ treatment of pneumonia for more than 75 million infants and children annually.
Additional Resources
USAID Success Stories
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