Child health in the SDG world what next?

Summary

This video discusses the significant progress made in reducing child mortality over the past 20 years, particularly through interventions targeting infectious diseases like vaccines and treatments for HIV and malaria. However, new challenges are emerging, including neglected populations, drug resistance, non-communicable diseases, and the need for integrated care. The speaker highlights the importance of addressing equity gaps, improving healthcare access in conflict zones and humanitarian crises, and expanding the focus to children's overall development. The future requires better data, cost-effective interventions, and a more collaborative approach across health and social sectors to ensure children's well-being and potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 Significant progress has been made in reducing child mortality over the past 20 years, largely due to interventions like vaccines, insecticide-treated nets, and treatments for HIV and malaria.
• 😀 One of the key challenges moving forward is addressing the needs of marginalized populations, such as children in conflict zones and those on the move.
• 😀 Equity gaps exist both within countries and between them, and efforts need to focus on reaching the most vulnerable and underserved populations.
• 😀 The effectiveness of current tools for combating diseases is threatened by drug resistance, including anti-malarial and antibiotic resistance.
• 😀 The needs of children in humanitarian crises, including conflict zones and areas affected by natural disasters, are significant, and they often suffer from preventable diseases like malaria and measles.
• 😀 Beyond infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, such as asthma, and environmental factors, like indoor pollution, are emerging as key causes of child mortality and morbidity.
• 😀 Future efforts need to focus on the quality of life for children who survive, ensuring their development into healthy and productive adults.
• 😀 There is a growing need to address subtle developmental issues, such as learning disabilities and nutritional deficiencies, which can affect a child's future potential.
• 😀 Integration of care is essential across health sectors, as well as with other sectors like education, housing, and transport, to ensure children have a healthy and secure upbringing.
• 😀 Data collection and analysis are critical to understanding the burden of disease, identifying which interventions work, and determining the cost-effective ways to make progress over the next 20 years.

Q & A

What has been the major factor in reducing child mortality in the past 20 years?

The major factor in reducing child mortality has been targeted interventions for infectious diseases, such as vaccines, insecticide-treated nets, and treatments for diseases like HIV and malaria.

Which populations are considered to be left behind in child health progress?

Populations considered left behind include marginalized groups such as children in conflict zones, children on the move, and the poorest children within countries.

What is a major emerging threat to the tools that have helped reduce child mortality?

A major emerging threat is drug resistance, including anti-malarial drug resistance, antibiotic resistance, and insecticide resistance, which undermines the effectiveness of treatments and prevention methods.

What are some of the health challenges faced by children in humanitarian crises?

Children in humanitarian crises face significant health challenges, including preventable deaths from diseases like malaria and measles, due to a lack of access to preventative care, education, and healthy environments.

What additional focus should be considered beyond infectious diseases for child health?

Beyond infectious diseases, there should be a focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as asthma and conditions caused by environmental pollution, as well as addressing issues like learning disabilities and nutritional deficiencies.

Why is the quality of life of surviving children an important focus for the future?

The quality of life of surviving children is important because it's essential to ensure they not only survive but also reach their full developmental potential, free from disabilities or subtle developmental issues that could affect their future capabilities.

How should integration be approached to improve child health outcomes?

Integration should occur across various sectors, including health, education, housing, and transport, to create a comprehensive approach to ensuring children have a safe and healthy upbringing. Additionally, care should be integrated across the life course from prenatal care to adolescence.

What is the role of community health workers in the integrated care model?

Community health workers play a key role in integrated care by acting as intermediaries between communities and health centers, helping to ensure that children receive quality care at the community level and facilitating access to higher levels of care when needed.

Why is better data crucial in addressing child health challenges?

Better data is crucial to identify where the health burdens are greatest, which children are at risk, and which interventions are most cost-effective and sustainable for making progress in child health over the next 20 years.

What future challenges in child health are expected over the next 20 to 30 years?

Future challenges include addressing the health needs of neglected populations, tackling drug and insecticide resistance, broadening the focus to include non-communicable diseases, and ensuring quality of life and developmental potential for all children, not just survival.