Pneumonia and Diarrhea Kill 1.4 Million Children Each Year, More Than All Other Childhood Illnesses Combined – UNICEF

NEW YORK (November 11, 2016) – Pneumonia and diarrhea together kill 1.4 million children each year, the overwhelming majority of whom live in lower and middle-income countries. These childhood deaths occur despite the fact that both illnesses are largely preventable through straightforward and cost effective solutions like exclusive breastfeeding, vaccination, quality primary healthcare and reducing household air pollution.  

These findings are included in a new UNICEF report – ‘One is Too Many: Ending Child Deaths from Pneumonia and Diarrhea’ – released today.

Pneumonia in particular remains the leading infectious killer of children under five, claiming the lives of nearly a million children in 2015 – approximately one child every 35 seconds, and more than malaria, TB, measles, and AIDS combined. Approximately half of all childhood pneumonia deaths are linked to air pollution, a fact UNICEF said world leaders should keep in mind during ongoing climate change talks at COP22.

“We have seen clearly that air pollution linked to climate change is damaging the health and development of children by causing pneumonia and other respiratory infections,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Fatoumata Ndiaye.

“Two billion children live in areas where outdoor air pollution exceeds international guidelines, with many falling ill and dying as a result. World leaders meeting at COP22 can help to save children’s lives by committing to actions that will reduce air pollution linked to climate change and agreeing to investments in prevention and healthcare,” Ndiaye said.

Like pneumonia, diarrhea cases among children can, in many instances, be linked to lower levels of precipitation caused by climate change. Reduced availability of safe water leaves children at greater risk of contracting diarrheal diseases and suffering impaired physical and cognitive growth.

Nearly 34 million children have died from pneumonia and diarrhea since 2000. Without further investment in key prevention and treatment measures, UNICEF estimates that 24 million more children will die from pneumonia and diarrhea by 2030. 

“These illnesses have such a disproportionately high impact on child mortality and are relatively inexpensive to treat,” said Ndiaye. “Yet they continue to receive only a fraction of global health investment which makes absolutely zero sense. That’s why we’re calling for increased global funding for protective, preventive and treatment interventions that we know will work to save children’s lives.”

UNICEF is also recommending increased funding for child healthcare generally and also for that focused on groups of children especially vulnerable to pneumonia and diarrhea – the youngest and those living in lower and middle-income countries. The report shows:

• Approximately 80 percent of childhood deaths linked to pneumonia and 70 percent of those linked to diarrhea occur during the first two years of life;
• Low- and lower-middle income countries are home to 62 percent of the world’s under 5 population, but account for more than 90 percent of child pneumonia and diarrhea deaths globally.

Download the full report, photo and video assets here: http://uni.cf/1QyQApU

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org