| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC April 6, 2005 United States Congratulates World Health Organization on Focus of World Health DayThe United States congratulates the World Health Organization on the focus of World Health Day, April 7, 2005. This year’s focus is on promoting the health of mothers and children.
The World Health Organization estimates that each year more than a half million women die from pregnancy-related causes. High rates of maternal and child death and disability are recognized as major contributors to economic distress, particularly in developing countries. Ensuring the survival and well-being of mothers and children worldwide will not only improve the health of societies, it will also decrease inequality and poverty. The United States, with decades of experience in maternal and child health programs, encourages the international community, families, community-based groups, and national governments to support actions that aim to improve the survival, health and well-being of all mothers and children. The United States is fully committed to partnering with developing countries, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to advance sustainable development. Our efforts to promote access to clean water and sanitation, access to energy services, and reduction of the spread of infectious diseases contribute significantly to improving health and advancing sustainable development. For three decades, the United States government has played a role in improving the health of mothers and children in developing countries, often in conjunction with bilateral and multilateral partners such as Polio Eradication Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Over the years, the U.S. commitment to improving global health has included providing oral rehydration therapy to control the consequences of diarrhea in Egypt, preventing river blindness and guinea worm in Africa, providing health services in Iraq and Afghanistan, initiating the Maternal and Child Health program, and launching the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. In addition, the United States, in conjunction with local non-governmental partners, has successfully organized vaccination campaigns in a variety of countries that suffer a high-burden of childhood diseases. In Yemen, for example, in August 2004, U.S. Agency for International Development, through volunteers, vaccinated a total of 2,882 children against polio, diphtheria, and measles. This vaccination campaign was the first time that a vaccination team was able to successfully negotiate and work in the north of the country. Additional information on World Health Day and associated activities is available from the World Health Organization at www.who.int/world-health-day/2005/en. 2005/386
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