Health

Overview  |  What we do What we do  |  Reports and resources Reports  |  Data and insights Data  |  News and features News Tremendous progress in child and maternal health has been achieved over the past decades. More children today live to celebrate their fifth birthday, while fewer women lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth.  But…, What we do, A small baby held up to the camera by the mother. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a global shift from treating diseases to strengthening health systems, so that children and women of reproductive age have access to affordable, quality care. UNICEF works around the world – including in some of the hardest-to-reach places – to…, Reports, Data and insights, data icon Our data research icon Our research innovation icon Our insights, Latest

A child born today has a much better chance of reaching their fifth birthday than ever before. But climate change and environmental degradation threaten to reverse progress on child and adolescent survival, health and well-being. Children worldwide face a host of environmental hazards, like polluted air, water and food; exposure to toxic chemicals…, UNICEF's response, UNICEF’s programmes for survival, health and well-being elevate action on climate change and environmental degradation for and with young people, in response to the local burden of disease and risk factors. Our Healthy Environments for Healthy Children Global Programme Framework outlines five major actions intended to guide UNICEF country…, More from UNICEF, Resources, Children's Environmental Health Collaborative Healthy Environments for Healthy Children Global Programme Framework Healthy Environments for Healthy Children: Key messages Healthy Environments for Healthy Children YouTube Playlist Protecting children from heat stress: A technical note The Toxic Truth: Children’s exposure to lead pollution…

Across the world, humanitarian crises are becoming more frequent, complex and persistent, affecting more children than ever before. During conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, children’s health needs can be neglected – to devastating effect. While encouraging progress has been achieved in improving child survival in recent decades,…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF Case Studies on Newborn Health Policy, Strategy and Action Plan Implementation in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings Global Health Workforce Alliance Scaling Up the Community-Based Health Workforce for Emergencies UNICEF Newborn Health in Humanitarian Settings UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action UNICEF…, UNICEF’s response, Ensuring access to health services in humanitarian and emergency settings requires strong coordination among governments and partners. It also requires sustainable funding, strategic planning, and capacity-building on the ground. UNICEF works closely with governments, UN agencies, and other partners to help countries prepare for and respond to…, Preparedness for emergencies, Even under normal conditions, public health services can be stretched thin, especially in low-income countries. Challenges magnify in the face of public health emergencies. As the frequency, duration and severity of humanitarian emergencies increase, the need for global investments in risk mitigation and proactive preparedness is great. UNICEF…, Quality programming and standards, UNICEF helps to coordinate and align emergency response efforts in health; child protection; nutrition; communication; and water, sanitation and hygiene. We also provide quality medicines, vaccines and other health supplies to children and women during public health emergencies and other crises. To ensure health programmes meet the highest…, Linking humanitarian response to development, When it comes to advancing development, planning for recovery can be just as critical as responding to an emergency. UNICEF works with governments and partners to strengthen infrastructure, develop preparedness plans and re-establish routine health services in humanitarian and emergency settings. Community health workers are integral to building…, Coordination and partnerships, In close collaboration with governments and partners, UNICEF strengthens coordination efforts at the global, national and local levels. We help ensure that humanitarian responses are synchronized, timely and adhere to agreed-upon standards and benchmarks. This includes during both the assessment of the emergency and the subsequent response. UNICEF…, Advocacy, In line with the United Nations’ call for the protection of civilians in conflict, UNICEF advocates for the protection of all children in humanitarian settings, as well as the protection of health facilities and equipment. Working with partners, we document the global situation of children in humanitarian contexts to develop advocacy mechanisms…

How countries allocate resources to achieve health goals makes a difference for children. To ensure children and adolescents have equitable access to health care and services, Governments must analyze local needs, raise sustainable funds and budget efficiently. But investing in health at the national level requires support. Especially for low- and…, UNICEF’s response, UNICEF strengthens health systems by supporting countries in health financing and related areas. We work with Governments and partners to identify development priorities, improve the efficiency and equity of health spending, and ensure that primary health care and critical public goods are adequately funded. We also help Governments guide and…, More from UNICEF

Real-world settings are complex, making it difficult for decision makers to account for every factor that influences the success of health interventions: Unexpected human behaviour may prevent programmes and policies from having the intended impact. Challenges in planning and implementation, too, can dampen results. For this reason, even the most…, Linking evidence with practice, Implementation research is one such tool. Implementation research links evidence with practice to advance public health policies and programmes. It helps identify what, why and how interventions work on the ground, where cultural context and other factors can significantly impact their success. It also monitors and evaluates interventions to…, UNICEF’s implementation research programme, UNICEF works to embed implementation research in health programmes, policies and practices to monitor, maintain and improve their effectiveness. We support programmes to design and conduct implementation research in specific country contexts. For example, UNICEF successfully revised a communications strategy to reduce vaccine refusals in Nigeria.…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF UNICEF Implementation Research for Immunization Report UNICEF Implementation Research for Immunization: Pakistan  Case Study, More from UNICEF

The digital transformation of health systems has the potential to revolutionize patient care and healthcare outcomes on a global scale. Strengthened capacity of the health workforce, the adoption of standards-based technologies, as well as the implementation of data-driven decision-making processes are key to transformation. This comprehensive…, UNICEF’s work to turn data into action, Timely and high-quality data, embedded in strong information systems, drive action for children. To accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals , UNICEF helps countries improve the availability, quality and use of data. Our assistance helps to make national health systems more efficient, inclusive and comprehensive. These systems…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF UNICEF's Approach to Digital Health UNICEF Designing Digital Interventions for Lasting Impact UNICEF Guidance on the Use of Geospatial Data and Technologies in Immunization Programmes UNICEF UNICEF's Digital Health & Information Systems Annual Report 2022 Digital Health Centre of Excellence Geo-Enabled Microplanning…, More from UNICEF

Millions of children die every year from preventable causes. Disease, injury, environmental hazard and the devastating effects of conflict put children and adolescents around the world in harm’s way. But countless deaths can be avoided with access to vaccines, medicines and other critical health supplies. For various reasons, existing supplies do…, UNICEF’s response, UNICEF helps provide critical vaccines, medicines and other supplies to children across the globe – including in some of the hardest-to-reach places. In 2018 alone, UNICEF procured $1.97 billion worth of health-related supplies from around the world. We work with Governments and partners to strengthen national supply chains, focusing on policy and…, Learn more

Achieving health results for children requires strong local capacities. Without effective management to support evidence-based planning, frequent monitoring and prompt course correction, even the most promising health programmes and policies can go astray. Communities need well-trained local practitioners to implement effective, equitable health…, Our approach, Strengthens health information systems Improves the use of data in planning and management Improves accountability mechanisms within governments and with communities UNICEF’s approach to strengthening district health systems brings children closer to quality, affordable care and services. Our efforts help local health professionals better use…, Learn more

In recent decades, the world has seen significant declines in infant and maternal mortality rates. But women and babies still die in staggering numbers before, during and after childbirth. Most of these deaths can be averted with better-quality health care. Worldwide, more preventable deaths – an estimated 8 million – occur from poor-quality…, UNICEF’s response, Quality care can save newborns, prevent stillbirths and protect the lives of mothers. Two out of every three neonatal deaths could be averted by 2030 if the world invests an additional $0.20 per person in low- and middle-income countries – saving the lives of 1.7 million newborns. UNICEF is deeply committed to supporting infants and mothers before…, Learn more

Millions of children and mothers across the world lack access to essential health services. Compounding threats like poverty, insecurity, climate change, poor nutrition and inaccessible social services are preventing millions of children from surviving and thriving. Community health systems are essential for bringing critical services to the…, UNICEF’s response, UNICEF strengthens and scales up community health systems to deliver comprehensive care to remote communities and respond to humanitarian crises around the world. We work across sectors to build country-driven, resilient community health systems that are supported by well-trained community health workers. Our approach integrates service delivery…, UNICEF’s community health programmes in brief, We focus on increasing and aligning investments for community health in response to country priorities by mobilizing political momentum, galvanizing partnerships and enhancing global, regional and country level coordination.  We work collaboratively to support countries in integrating community health programmes into national health systems to…, Resources, Community Health Planning and Costing Tool This handbook helps managers develop effective, sustainable and comprehensive community health services. Community Health Roadmap Learn more about this global collaboration to scale primary care at the community level. Strengthening Primary Health Care through Community Health Workers: Investment Case and…, More from UNICEF

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