In March, the Newborn, Child, and Mother Survival Act of 2009 (act H.R. 1410) was introduced by three members of Congress. The legislation authorizes the President to create a strategy for the US to reduce mortality rates and improve the livelihood of newborns, children and mothers in developing countries. The bill will direct the President to improve the effectiveness of global health programs and provide increased investment in low cost health interventions including, vitamin A and micronutrient supplementation.

Previous efforts targeted at the area of child and maternal health by the US Government have been lacking. Within the last decade, the US has significantly increased funding to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria abroad, and while these actions are noteworthy, it is important to acknowledge that nearly 90% of child deaths are caused by preventable and treatable diseases, conditions other than HIV/AIDS and malaria. Despite the nearly 10 million children that die every year largely from preventable or treatable causes, funding for the other basic health needs of mothers and children, including nutrition assistance, has lagged behind the rest.

The U.S. Coalition for Child Survival website is a wonderful resource for more information, including specifics of the Newborn, Child, and Mother Survival Act, and the need for the bill. The Coalition is an organization which brings together 40 of the most influential organizations working for child survival. Vitamin Angels is happy to be a part of their efforts.

According the Coalitions website, the Act would:

• • Require the US Government to develop and implement an integrated, comprehensive strategy for reducing mortality and improving newborn, child, and maternal health, with an intentional focus on 60 countries with the highest newborn, child, and maternal mortality rates.
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• • Establish guidelines for child and maternal health programs, including the strengthening of local capacity and self-sufficiency, partnerships with non-governmental organizations, participation by local communities, and coordination with other donors.
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• • Continue investments in proven, cost-effective international child and maternal health programs, including the Global Vaccines Initiative, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme.
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• • Authorize a proportional expansion of the Child Survival and Health Grants Program created by Congress to help further American commitment to newborn, child, and maternal health.
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• • Create an Interagency Newborn, Child, and Maternal Health Task Force to coordinate U.S. Government activities directed toward achieving child and maternal health goals.
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• • Require the President to submit an annual report to Congress detailing U.S. efforts to reduce mortality and promote the health of newborns, children, and mothers in developing countries.

One of our field partners, Save the Children, has created an advocacy campaign where you can send your representative an email urging them to support the bill. OpenCongress.org has created a widget to put on your blogs which shows the status of the bill. There are multiple ways to get involved and be a part of bringing a new future to newborns, children, and mothers around the world.  Learn more.>>