Each year, 6.3 million children under the age of 5 die from preventable causes. Another 800 women die every day from complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
In the last two decades, the world has achieved a 49% reduction in the number of children who die before the age of 5. We have the tools and know-how to bring an end to those preventable deaths.
Investing in maternal and child health reduces poverty, stimulates economic growth, and most importantly, saves lives. Sens. Durbin and Kirk, we urge you to cosponsor the Accelerating Action in Maternal and Child Health. If enacted, we could save the lives of 15 million children and 600,000 mothers by 2020.
Why is this important?
My own daughters can depend on clean water, health care and nutritious food. I empathize with moms around the world who aren't able to meet these basic needs for their children and watch them suffer and die from treatable and preventable causes.
