Vaccines protect against waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera, which can thrive when sanitation is lacking. Together, sanitation and vaccines offer powerful prevention. At immunization appointments, health workers can also educate parents on hygiene and sanitation.
Hygiene and sanitation are public health building blocks. Before medicines and vaccines, clean water and sanitation were on the front lines to prevent child illness and death.
Sanitation protects girls’ health, safety, and psychological wellbeing. When girls can access sanitation, communities reduce social stigmas and increase educational and economic opportunity.
A new study shows abnormal flooding and drought are associated with pediatric diarrhea in some parts of the world.
To address the most resilient threats to child health, PATH's country director in Kenya highlights the importance of partnerships and strategy that meets national and local needs.
New data recorded the largest decline in childhood immunization rates the world has seen in 30 years. Millions more children are now at risk of deadly, preventable diseases. PATH's Senior Advisor on Vaccines urges, "This information must spur action."
When COVID restrictions led to a drop in immunization rates, Integrated Health Days mobilized the health sector and the community together. Rates came back up, while clinics provided a bundle of health interventions for children and their parents, too.
Kenya’s national strategy reflects goals of the UNICEF/WHO Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhea (GAPP-D), which provides a framework to protect children using proven interventions that have contributed to major reductions in child deaths.
Pneumonia is the leading cause of child death in Kenya, and interventions to prevent and treat it often overlap with diarrheal disease solutions. The Ministry of Health’s new fact sheet details the burden of pneumonia in Kenya, as well as strategies and actions that health facilities and advocates can take to help overcome it.