Five simple ways to save a child’s life

Over the past couple of weeks, USAID in partnership with UNICEF launched the “Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday”campaign. This sentiment really struck me, for I have two children, twin girls, who are five years old. I cannot imagine them, or any other child, not reaching their fifth birthday. But for over 7 million children who die each year from preventable causes, this is a horrible reality. We at UNICEF want to make that number zero. 

Childhood illnesses can be prevented using some very simple solutions. Below I’ve listed five easy ways that UNICEF uses to help keep children healthy so they can reach their fifth birthday.

A health worker measures the arm circumference of a baby boy to detect malnutrition. © UNICEF/MLIA2009-00126/Giacomo Pirozzi

Measuring tape
Yes, you read that right. Measuring the circumference of a child’s upper arm with what are called malnutrition tapes helps identify and treat childhood malnutrition. Keeping track of a child’s growth and development is vital for keeping children healthy.

Hand washing
It’s hard to imagine, but a simple act like washing hands can save lives. Just by washing hands with clean water and soap, the spread of diarrheal disease and pneumonia can be significantly reduced, saving thousands of children’s lives every day.

Mosquito nets
Using insecticide-treated mosquito nets is one of the most efficient ways to keep families safe from malaria. The nets are cost effective, easy to use, and last for years. When children sleep under these nets, child mortality can be reduced by up to 20%.

Water purification tablets
Every day, more than 3,000 children die from consuming unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation facilities. One way for children to have access to clean water, especially after an emergency when the spread of cholera and typhoid is a real danger, is with the use of water purification tablets. Just a single tablet can purify more than a gallon of dirty water.

Oral rehydration salts
Diarrhea is a major cause of a child’s loss of life. The dehydration that comes with diarrhea can be deadly. Oral rehydration salts, a mix of salts and minerals, are a simple way to combat dehydration.

These are just some of the ways that UNICEF helps children reach the age of five. Another way is through raising awareness. You can help us spread the word about getting more children to celebrate a fifth birthday by uploading a photo of yourself at age five.

Lastly, if you are interested in buying some of the lifesaving items listed above, please visit our UNICEF Inspired Gifts collection, where every item purchased goes directly to the children that need it the most.