Rx for Child Survival

Please take a moment out of your day to read on; I promise I won't take much of your time. Just the mere mention of the term "Global Health" and we instantly size up the gargantuan issues facing the world and think, but how can I help? Rx for Child Survival starts at home, with education. Consider things that we have come to depend on to keep us healthy, things we have come to take for granted; clean water, vaccines, antibiotics, mosquito repellent...children worldwide don't have access to these things. What if it was your child that didn't have these things?

Why Focus on Child Survival?
Millions of children die between birth and age 5 each year who would have a good chance at life if they had access to five basic and inexpensive health interventions:

• Vaccinations to fight childhood diseases, including measles and tetanus
  
• Insecticide-treated netting to stop mosquitoes that carry malaria
  
• Vitamin A and other micronutrients to help fight infection and prevent nutritional deficiencies
  
• Oral rehydration packets to help reduce diarrhea-related illness and deaths
  
• Antibiotics to fight pneumonia and antimalarial drugs
  

Additionally, where it is appropriate, there are significant health values in mothers breastfeeding their infants.

Still seem overwhelming? One way you can do your part is to learn more, which I'm challenging you to do. You can do it in front of your TV. Tune in!

November 1-3: Rx for Survival -

A Global Health Challenge, series premiere 9 p.m. - 11 p.m., PBS

Check out these great links for add'l information:

Rx for Child Survival Homepage

Global Health Calendar

WGBH