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Statement from Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd on Introduction of the CHILD and Newborn Act of 2006
Washington, DC (May 9, 2006) – Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd issued the following statement in announcing the introduction of the CHILD and Newborn Act of 2006:
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| Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd |
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce, on behalf of myself and my friend, Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, the Child Health Investment for Long-term Development (CHILD and Newborn) Act of 2006. This legislation would perform four simple, yet critically important functions.
First, it would require the Administration to develop and implement a strategy to improve the health of, and reduce mortality rates among, newborns, children, and mothers in developing countries.
Second, it would mandate the establishment of a U.S. government task force to assess, monitor, and evaluate the progress of U.S. efforts to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015 – specifically as those goals relate to reducing mortality rates for mothers and for children less than five years of age in developing countries.
Third, it would authorize the President to furnish assistance for programs whose goal is to improve the health of newborns, children, and mothers in developing countries.
And fourth, this legislation would authorize appropriations to carry out its provisions – $660 million for fiscal year 2007, and $1.2 billion for each of fiscal years 2008-2011.
I know that some of my colleagues will look at this bill and ask why the U.S. should devote such large amounts of resources to combating child and maternal mortality in the developing world. Certainly, nobody would deny that it’s an important cause, but should it really be this much of a priority?
I would argue that the answer to this is yes. Why? Because with U.S. leadership, the current reality for mothers and their young children in the developing world can be changed dramatically.
What is that reality?
Almost 11 million children under the age of 5 die every year in the developing world – that’s approximately 30,000 each day. About four million of those children die in their first four weeks of life. In many cases, they aren’t even provided with a fighting chance. Indeed, for children under the age of five in the developing world, preventable or treatable diseases such as measles, tetanus, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria are the most common causes of death.
Each year, more than 525,000 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth – more than 1,400 each day. Ninety-nine percent of these deaths occur in the developing world. And the lifetime risk of an African woman dying from a pregnancy or childbirth-related complication is 1 in 16, a high level of risk that is all the more striking when compared to the same risk for women in more developed regions – 1 in 2,800. Some of the most common risk factors for maternal death in developing countries include early pregnancy and childbirth, closely spaced births, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and complications during childbirth.
Mr. President, the deaths of these nearly 12 million mothers and children are from largely preventable causes. This is a tragic situation, and it shouldn’t be the case.
Luckily, we can combat these high levels of mortality – and it won’t require lots of sophisticated technology. Instead, it will require simple measures that we take for granted here in the developed world.
For instance, it is estimated that two-thirds of deaths among children under five years of age – that’s 7.1 million children, including 3 million newborns – could be prevented by low-cost, low-tech health and nutritional interventions. These interventions include encouraging breastfeeding; providing vitamin supplements, immunizations, and antibiotics; offering oral rehydration therapy with clean water; and expansion of basic clinical care.
For expecting mothers, simple steps such as birth spacing, access to preventive care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric care can help reduce maternal morality rates. And keeping mothers healthy is critical because the welfare of newborns and infants is inextricably tied to the health of the mother.
Mr. President, the U.S. isn’t new at this battle. Over the past 30 years, our work in promoting child survival and maternal health globally has resulted in millions of lives being saved.
And in 2000, the U.S. joined 188 other countries in supporting eight Millennium Development Goals laid out by the United Nations. Two of these goals are related to child and maternal health – one calls for a reduction by two-thirds in the mortality rate of children under five, and the other calls for a reduction in maternal deaths by three-quarters. Both of these goals are targeted to be met by 2015.
But with current structures and at current funding levels, the world is unlikely to meet these laudable goals. Certainly, the U.S. can’t meet these global needs alone. Addressing this critical issue can’t be a unilateral effort – countries around the world must also do their part and come forward with much-needed funding.
But passing the CHILD and Newborn Act of 2006 would send a strong message to the international community that this is a priority issue, and it would encourage them to step up to the plate. Millions of lives could be saved in the process.
On September 14, 2005, President Bush stated that the U.S. is “committed to the Millennium Development Goals.” I commend the President for his words. But now, it is time for Congress to stand up and make sure that the U.S. fulfils this commitment to protect millions of innocent women and their children around the globe. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Tell Congress to pass the CHILD and Newborn Act
