Senators Dodd, Durbin and Corker Co-Sponsor Global Child Survival Act of 2009

WESTPORT, Conn. (Oct. 28, 2009) — A bi-partisan team of U.S. Senators introduced legislation today that would improve the health and survival of mothers and children under age 5 in developing countries.  Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bob Corker (R-TN) co-sponsored the bill called the Global Child Survival Act of 2009, which is strongly supported by Save the Children, the global humanitarian organization.

"It doesn't cost a lot to save a life," said Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). "Children in developing countries die of diarrhea every day — but the oral rehydration therapy needed to treat it costs just 54 cents.  Children die of respiratory infections — but the treatment costs just 71 cents. The United States does a lot to combat child mortality. But we can do more, we have committed to do more, and we must do more."

Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) co-sponsors the Global Child Survival Act of 2009.

Similar bi-partisan legislation was introduced this past March in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The House bill, called the Newborn, Child, and Mother Survival Act of 2009, currently has 80 co-sponsors.  Both bills are supported by the U.S. Coalition for Child Survival, whose members include Save the Children. 

The Global Child Survival Act of 2009 calls for U.S. leadership to reduce the deaths of nearly nine million children under age 5, including almost 4 million newborns, and more than half a million mothers each year.  If passed, the bill would put the United States in a position to make highly effective health care measures available to vulnerable mothers, newborns and children in developing countries. 

"This is an important next step toward providing millions of parents with hope that their babies will grow up healthy and live to see their fifth birthday," said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children. "We look forward to working together with Congress and the Obama Administration to make this bill a reality."

Calls for New Bill to Galvanize Leadership at G-8 Summit in 2010

Key provisions of the legislation would include developing an integrated U.S. strategy for reducing child and maternal mortality, setting up a task force to make sure every dollar spent goes where it's needed most and authorizing funding for maternal and child health programs in 60 developing countries. 

Each bill will now move to its respective committee, including the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for review. 

Enactment of this child survival legislation not only will better enable the United States to reduce child deaths, but it can galvanize increased leadership by other major donors.  Save the Children calls on President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper, the host of next year's G-8 Summit in Canada, to seek agreement at the 2010 summit to concrete steps that will accelerate global efforts to prevent these needless deaths.

Broad Coalition Supports Legislation and Upcoming World Pneumonia Day, Nov.2

The introduction of the Senate bill also comes on the eve of the first-ever World Pneumonia Day on November 2nd.  A broad coalition of more than 100 global health organizations and academic institutions, including Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the ONE campaign and Save the Children, are joining forces to urge governments to take steps to fight childhood pneumonia.  Pneumonia is the number one killer of children under age 5 globally. Advocates from six continents are planning activities for World Pneumonia Day.

Research shows that most of the under-5 child deaths could be prevented if all mothers and children, especially the poorest, had access to a package of low-cost services and practices like antibiotics to fight infections, oral rehydration solution to treat diarrhea, immunizations against tetanus and training on how to deliver a baby safely and to recognize and refer childbirth complications.  In addition, when parents are more confident their children will survive, they are more likely to have fewer children.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 29 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.