Pneumonia, Diarrhea Kill 1.4 million Children Each Year

Pneumonia and diarrhea together kill 1.4 million children each year, the overwhelming majority of whom live in lower and middle-income countries, according to a new UNICEF report.

    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, said the report which was entitled "One is Too Many: Ending Child Deaths from Pneumonia and Diarrhea." 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.

    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.

Source: QNA