Pneumonia and diarrhoea kill 1.4 million children each year, more than all other childhood illnesses combined - UNICEF

World leaders gathered at COP22 have opportunity to make commitments that will help save the lives of 12.7 million children by 2030

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

MARRAKECH, Morocco, Nov. 10, 2016 /CNW/ - Pneumonia and diarrhoea 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 Diarrhoea' – 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 commiting to actions that will reduce air pollution linked to climate change and agreeing to investments in prevention and healthcare," Ndiaye said.

Like pneumonia, diarrhoea 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 diarrhoeal diseases and suffering impaired physical and cognitive growth.

Nearly 34 million children have died from pneumonia and diarrhoea since 2000. Without further investment in key prevention and treatment measures, UNICEF estimates that 24 million more children will die from pneumonia and diarrhoea 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 diarrhoea – the youngest and those living in lower and middle-income countries. The report shows:

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

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

About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada

Image with caption: "© UNICEF/UNI169762/Clark In Ethiopia, Abinet is just three months old and he has pneumonia. A healthy adult will breathe about twelve times in a minute. A child with pneumonia will take at least sixty short, painful gasps. Pneumonia is the leading causes of death in children worldwide. (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161110_C6146_PHOTO_EN_815642.jpg

To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866; 647-500-4320 (mobile), [email protected]