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On World Pneumonia Day, a new study warns of the consequences of the disease and calls for control.
11:57, November 12, 2018
According to one study, by the end of the next decade, nearly eleven million children under the age of five in the world are at risk of death from viral or bacterial pneumonia. This is apparent from an badysis conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States, and the Save the Children relief organization, published on the occasion of the Day. against pneumonia.
In developing countries
While in the industrialized world it is mostly older people who develop pneumonia, in developing countries they are mostly children. In 2016 alone, more than 880,000 children, most of whom were younger than two years old, died of the disease, according to the study. According to previous figures, some countries in Africa and South Asia are probably among the most affected countries. For example, Nigeria and India have 1.7 million deaths from pneumonia in young children, 700,000 in Pakistan and 635,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At the same time, the authors of the study pointed out that many deaths could be avoided with relatively simple measures. For example, better immunization coverage, cheap antibiotics and good nutrition for children could save 4.1 million lives.
Despite knowledge and resources
The head of Save the Children, Kevin Watkins, said it was amazing that "every year nearly a million children die from the consequences of an illness of which we have the knowledge and the resources to overcome ". Unlike other dangerous diseases, pneumonia "does not have pink curls, spikes or global markets". "But for all those who care about justice for children and their access to basic health care, this forgotten killer should be the major concern of our age," said Watkins. Among other things, the prices of existing vaccines against bacterial pneumonia should be reduced "dramatically".
Even before malaria, diarrhea and measles
Every year, more children worldwide die from pneumonia than malaria, diarrhea and measles combined. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 also include "Ending preventable child deaths". A total of 125 serious pneumococcal infections were recorded in Austria in 2005. They were 545 in all age groups in 2017. In 2012, Austria included pneumococcal vaccination in the free vaccination program for kids. It uses a vaccine that protects against more than ten types of bacteria. It is generally recommended to take the vaccine in all adults over 50, as well as the chronically ill. Currently, an action with discounted vaccines is underway in pharmacies.
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