Gearing up for World Pneumonia Day on November 12

Shockingly, pneumonia kills more children under the age of five than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. Did you know that pneumonia is the leading cause of preventable child deaths worldwide killing 1.3 million children a year? And, a disease as simply treated and prevented as diarrhea kills close to 800,000 children a year? Nearly 90 percent of child deaths due to pneumonia and diarrhea occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Check out this awesome new infographic from PATH that shows the critical need for health interventions to fight these diseases.

So, where does that leave us? In June 2012, the United States led a child survival “Call to Action” where leaders from around the globe gathered to create a roadmap to end preventable childhood deaths within a generation. For the first time, there is consensus among global health experts that this is possible.

Globally, we must tackle pneumonia and diarrhea as part of an integrated health strategy to decrease child mortality. RESULTS’ advocacy to support the GAVI Alliance’s roll out of the pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines, quality nutrition, and frontline health workers are all key to fighting the leading killers of kids. By expanding access to vaccines, emphasizing good nutrition and sanitation practices, providing access to treatment, and training health workers to diagnose and treat the disease – we can make great strides in saving lives.

The fourth annual World Pneumonia Day is this November 12.  Join RESULTS, ACTION, and other members of the World Pneumonia Day Coalition  by taking action and showing your support for prioritizing child survival.

Four actions you can take for children on World Pneumonia Day:

• Ask your members of Congress to support the US pledge to the GAVI Alliance and the higher Senate numbers for FY2013 appropriations to increase access to the life-saving pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines that prevent pneumonia and diarrheal deaths
• Ask your members of Congress to here.
• Tweet with @NoMorePneumo @RESULTS_Tweets and the World Pneumonia Day Coalition on November 12.

Need more pneumo stats?  Check out ACTION’s World Pneumonia Day info page.