Child survival

In recent decades, the world has made significant strides improving health outcomes for children and adolescents. But inequities among and within countries persist. Especially in low- and middle-income countries, millions of children still do not have access to quality health care and services. The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed many of the gains…, UNICEF’s response, To help children survive and thrive, health systems need sufficient funding to be sustainable, resilient and inclusive. Strengthening health systems is critical to the supply and delivery of quality, affordable primary health care and to the achievement of universal health coverage. It expands access to the most vulnerable children and adolescents…, Community health workforce, Strong primary health care systems for children require skilled frontline professionals and community health workers. UNICEF works to build the capacity and skills of these people, providing the essential training and resources they need to thrive in their communities. Learn more, Quality of care, UNICEF works with governments to improve the quality of newborn, child, adolescent and maternal health care - especially at the community level. We do this through the development of cultural and age-appropriate health protocols and guidelines. We also train and equip health and allied personnel to better serve the needs of newborn babies,…, Strengthening supply chains, UNICEF works with governments and partners to strengthen supply chains crucial to the health sector. These supply chains are vital for getting products and medicines from manufacturers and into the hands of health care staff and their patients. Learn more, Data and digital health, UNICEF works with governments and partners to strengthen supply chains crucial to the health sector. These supply chains are vital for getting products and medicines from manufacturers and into the hands of health care staff and their patients. Learn more, National investment and governance, Governments and health administrations are indispensable partners in improving the lives of children. In coordination with partners, UNICEF supports governments to develop effective policies that strengthen health systems for children, especially for the most vulnerable. UNICEF helps governments to establish packages of care, incentive and…

Unintentional injuries, such as road traffic crashes, drowning, falls, burns and scalds and poisonings are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents worldwide. Globally, more than 1,600 children and adolescents below the age of 19-years die every day from preventable injuries. Of those injuries, road traffic crashes represent the…, Road traffic injuries, Globally, road traffic injuries represent the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 5 and 19.   On average, more than 600 children and adolescents die every day on our roads. That’s about one death every two minutes.  Almost all road traffic injury deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with the highest rates in sub-…, Drowning, Drowning is another top killer, ranking among the ten leading causes of death for children and adolescents in every region of the world.   More than 260 children and adolescents lose their lives to drowning every day. That’s more than 10 deaths every hour.  More than 90 per cent of these drowning deaths happen in lower- and middle-income countries…, How UNICEF is responding, Preventing unintentional injuries such as road traffic fatalities and drownings demands concerted efforts across sectors. That includes health, child protection, education, urban planning and environment.   UNICEF’s efforts to prevent unintentional injuries combine the following strategies:  Engineering – adapting and adopting environmental and…, Resources and publications, Publisher Title UNICEF Technical Guidance for Child and Adolescent Road Safety UNICEF Guidance for Safe and Healthy Journeys to School During COVID-19 and Beyond WHO Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety   WHO Preventing drowning: an implementation guide Child Health Initiative & UNICEF Rights of Way report WHO Global report on…, Learn more

To reach their full potential, children need high-quality health care and services – especially in life’s early moments. The time between pregnancy and age 3, when the brain is most susceptible to environmental influences, is critical for a child’s growth and development . All children – including those with disabilities and developmental delays,…, UNICEF’s response, In 2018, UNICEF co-led the creation of the Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development . This framework outlines relevant policies, interventions and strategies needed across sectors – including health, nutrition, education and child protection – to strengthen early childhood development and monitor progress towards associated goals.…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF & WHO Nurturing Care Practice Guide UNICEF & WHO Nurturing Care Handbook WHO Nurturing care for children living in humanitarian settings UNICEF Operationalizing Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development UNICEF & WHO Care for Child Development: Technical Note WHO International Classification of Functioning,…, More from UNICEF

Children, newborns and mothers have a greater chance of surviving today than they did just two decades ago. The world has witnessed a stunning reduction in child mortality. The latest available data shows that the number of children who died before their fifth birthday reached a historic low, dropping to 4.9 million in 2022.  In 2000, more than 9.…, Publications and resources, UNICEF's response, UNICEF is committed to addressing the needs of mothers, newborns and children, and ensuring they have access to affordable, quality health care, good nutrition and clean water.  We work closely with governments, partners and communities to combat common infectious childhood diseases and end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths. And we…, Maternal and newborn health, UNICEF and partners help save the lives of mothers, newborns and children and address preventable stillbirths by supporting high-quality, evidence-based, equitable and low-cost care and services before, during and after birth – at health facilities and at home. Similarly, UNICEF works to ensure that services are designed to enable families and…, Childhood diseases, Despite being entirely preventable and treatable, common infectious diseases still kill children in large numbers. UNICEF supports countries to provide preventative and curative services for pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and other health conditions. Learn more, Immunization, UNICEF and partners support immunization programmes in over 100 countries to help children survive and lead healthy lives. Our efforts include engaging communities to create vaccine demand, procuring and distributing vaccines, and keeping vaccines safe and effective.  Learn more