# Child Survival Programs

Since the 1960s, USAID has been committed to improving the health and
well-being of children and families, promoting reproductive health, and
helping to safeguard the world against infectious diseases, including
HIV/AIDS. Since 1985, when the U.S. Congress created the Child Survival
Initiative, USAID has obligated more than \$5 billion in support of
initiatives in child survival, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and other
infectious diseases.

USAID child survival strategies and activities address the following
areas:

# Immunization: USAID is a leader in the global fight to halt vaccine-preventable diseases. Over the last 30 years, USAID support has helped increase the percentage of children in developing countries immunized against measles, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and tuberculosis from 5 to 70 percent. USAID's Boost Immunization Initiative, launched in 1999, has continued to grow and is now helping to improve basic immunization services in 20 countries. USAID takes a leadership role in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), whose goals include expanding the safe use of all cost-effective vaccines and accelerating research and development of new vaccines most needed in developing countries. GAVI and its Vaccine Fund support enhanced immunization programs in over 60 countries. 

# Polio Eradication: The United States plays a leading role in the global campaign to eradicate polio, one of the largest public health initiatives in history and one of the most successful public-private partnerships. Since 1996, USAID has allocated more than \$200 million to polio eradication through its Polio Eradication Initiative. USAID's strategy includes support for strengthening routine immunization and disease control systems essential for child health care in developing countries. 

# Nutrition: To address malnutrition, USAID promotes breastfeeding, improved feeding practices for children and women, micronutrient supplementation, and food fortification. In 2002, USAID helped 19 countries carry out semiannual vitamin A supplementation campaigns. Increased vitamin A intake has been shown to reduce deaths in children by up to 30 percent. 

# Childhood Illnesses: For nearly a decade, USAID has supported and promoted the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy, which brings together interventions to prevent and treat the most common causes of childhood illness and death. IMCI initiatives address diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, malaria, malnutrition, and measles. Oral rehydration therapy, one of USAID\'s leading child survival interventions, plays an important role in the management of childhood diarrhea.

# Maternal and Neonatal Health: USAID's maternal and neonatal health programs help communities prepare for births by promoting a continuum of quality care from pre-pregnancy through postpartum care for mother and baby. Strategies include the promotion of quality prenatal care, the attendance of skilled personnel at delivery, improving self-care, recognizing complications, and finding means to arrange transport and pay for care. 

# Infectious Diseases: USAID's Infectious Disease Initiative focuses especially on tuberculosis and malaria and also works to contain resistance to drugs used to fight infectious diseases and improve disease surveillance and response. In response to the growing problem of TB/HIV co-infection, USAID supports WHO's "ProTEST" Initiative, which delivers coordinated interventions for TB and HIV prevention and care. In the area of malaria prevention, USAID recently launched NetMark, which seeks to expand the availability of affordable insecticide-treated bednets in Africa. 

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