World Pneumonia Day

November 2, 2009 is the first annual World Pneumonia Day, recognizing the world’s leading child killer as a global public health issue. A network of nearly 100 IGO, NGO, research and academic institutions, foundations, and community-based organizations have joined forces to raise awareness and urge governments and policymakers to combat this preventable illness. Each year, over 2 million children under the age of five die from pneumonia and pneumonia-related complications.

Although this is a great venture, it is surprising to see that this is the first campaign of its kind. Being the leading killer of children, it is outrageous to know this disease is not only treatable, but preventable. It leads me to wonder: “Why hasn’t more been done?” Mary Beth Powers, Campaign Chief of Save the Children said in an interview about pneumonia, “The sad thing is this is a disease that is largely preventable, and highly treatable.” This is not a disease that requires decades of scientific research to find a cure. Watch the movie.

According to leading public health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, many deaths can be prevented through early vaccination, proper medication (antibiotics) and nutrition, and vitamin supplements, such as zinc that is not typically found in a lower-income diet. Read more about the cause, prevention and treatment of pneumonia at the World Pneumonia Day website.

I would encourage everyone to spread the word about World Pneumonia Day, so greater awareness is made. The coalition firmly believes these deaths can be avoided, and encourages others to join the fight against pneumonia by:

1. Signing the pledge to fight pneumonia
2. Joining the coalition
3. Donating to the cause
4. Educating others about pneumonia prevention, diagnosis and treatment
5. Participating in a World Pneumonia Day event

Killing Health Reform: Not This Time

 By Samir N. Banoob, M.D, Ph.D.*

“ The administration inherited a basket of bad apples from its predecessor: the budget deficit, the recession, a week economy and unemployment to mention a few. Among the problems, the health care crisis is the worst by far”

This quote is not recent since I published it on February 7, 1993 in the St Pete Times, an article titled “Health Care: Painful Remedies are needed” 

I was referring to the Clinton administration and the President’s promise to produce his Health Security act within the first administration 100 days. As a reminder, at that time Republicans raised the issues of big government, increasing the deficit, government taking over health care, eliminating choices, more taxation, hurting the private sector and the rest of the same old story. Moreover, they introduced 6 more health plan proposals to the Congress until the whole reform issue faded away and was dropped. This was paralleled with an aggressive heavily funded campaign lead by the Republican Party, insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry and others. Since then, and until 2008, every Democratic presidential candidate, learning the lesson the hard way, dropped the health insurance and universal coverage from his agenda.

In 1994, I published an article in the Florida Journal of Public Health (vol VI, no1) on “Reforming Health Care in the US and Europe: Why we Fail and They Succeed? “ It said: “Why health reforms succeed in all western countries?  They established concrete health policies of universal access and user-friendly systems in the 30s and the 40s, guided by a solid commitment to national welfare and social solidarity. Second, the voice of interest groups is not so loud, and if it becomes so, its impact on policy-making is minimal since policy makers’ behaviors are put under stringent scrutiny of their well-informed voters. Third, the government and the elected representatives, who are elected by the watchful voters, are more trusted, and the government is allowed to govern, and elected representatives make decisions in the public interest”
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- * Samir Banoob, M.D, D.M, DPH, Ph.D. is a professor of international health policy and management and consultant to WHO, World Bank and international agencies who consulted with 76 countries.