Child Development and Public Health
Childhood Immunization at Record High
Childhood immunizations
have risen over the past decade but there are 24 million children still
immunized. UNICEF, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization report that
one in five children are not receiving routine immunizations against
preventable diseases like measles, tetanus, and diphtheria. Recent declines in
child death rates are a direct results of higher immunization rates. Worldwide measles
deaths declined by 74 percent between 2000 and 2007 due to higher immunization.
This improvement will not continue without continued attempts to vaccinate
children around the world. Immunization is an issue that we face here in the
U.S. and globally. Here in the U.S. reasons include lack of information, access
to affordable health care, personal and religious preference, lack of funding
is a primary reason in other countries (Immunization state of the world's
vaccines: Childhood immunization at record high, 2009) .
The rate for
vaccinations in sub-Saharan Africa have risen from five percent to seventy-seven
percent since 1980 with the support of public and private donations that
provide low-cost vaccines. However, an increasing number of recommended immunizations
for children under five and limited competition have caused cost to rise. Vaccination
cost per child have risen from $6 in 2000 to $25 and could rise as high as $58
with the introduction of new vaccines. Additional competition to produce
vaccines will aid in lowering the cost of vaccinations. The European Union
provides assistance to developing nations and has pledged to make health a
priority in the new development aid framework that focuses on the lowest income
countries. Improvements to the data collection technology is also needed to
accurately report the number of children who are vaccinated (Rising costs
pose a challenge for poor nations' vaccinations, 2013) .
The health of the world’s
children is important for all nations. Children are the future and their
well-being is a critical aspect of the world’s future. Healthy children are better
learners. Ensuring children receive required immunizations and have access to
proper nutrition and education is a responsibility we all share.
Immunization state of the world's vaccines: Childhood
immunization at record high. (2009,
October 29). Retrieved from UNICEF:
http://www.unicef.org/immunization/index_51482.html
Rising costs pose challenge for poor nations' vaccinations. (2013, April 23). Retrieved from EurActiv:
http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-nutrition-child-su/rising-costs-pose-challenge-poor-news-519265
Comments
I too agree that health is important for all nations. After my research on malnutrition in Africa and India I know that I will have to advocate for public health measures more that ever before. We can't expect children to be effective learners if they are not healthy and if they are malnourished. I also agree with you when you said that we share the responsibility of making sure our children we educate are healthy and properly nourished. I also spoke on this in my discussion. As educators we all need to advocate for public health measures because we know that so many children are not getting the nutrious meals that they need and deserve. A healthy child can be a high educational achiever.
I to think it is very imporant for children to have the proper nutritions and access to health services for immunizations and well checks as well as dental because when children are healthy and eat well they can focus and concentrate better. Also, without health services, children might have an underlying problem such as poor eyes sight that might hinder their learning.