PATH and partners host congressional briefing on child survival

November 22, 2023 by PATH

Maternal, newborn, and child health United States

Washington, DC—Kicking off Child Survival Week on November 13, 2023, PATH, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Gavi, Jhpiego, Mothers2Mothers, Management Sciences for Health, Results, Save the Children, Shot@Life, UNICEF USA, and World Vision, with the support of honorary co-hosts Representative Young Kim and Representative Adam Smith, conducted an educational briefing for congressional staff to discuss the importance of US government funding for lifesaving programs to advance child survival. Widely attended by Hill staff and community advocates, PATH and partners were able to reach 22 congressional offices and committees with timely information about the value of US investments in maternal and child health.

“Fighting for child survival: how to reach moms and children with lifesaving programs” included an expert panel discussion featuring Kristina Yarrow, Director of Primary Health Care at USAID, Dr. Kayla Laserson, Director of the CDC’s Global Health Center, and Anuradha Narayan, Senior Advisor for Nutrition at UNICEF, to speak on how the US government and multilateral organizations meet critical needs in primary health care, immunization, health workforce capacity, and nutrition so that mothers and children around the globe can survive. Following individual remarks from the panelists, Heather Ignatius, PATH’s Chief of External Affairs, facilitated a thoughtful discussion with the panelists and congressional staff focused on policy and the impact of these lifesaving programs on children and families around the world.

PATH extends special thanks to Representatives Kim and Smith for their continued leadership in maternal and child health, as well as to USAID and CDC for their participation.

At a time when the most vulnerable children around the world are still missing out on routine childhood vaccinations and the nutrition needed to survive, it is vital that the US government continue to invest in lifesaving maternal and child health and nutrition programs. PATH will continue to advocate alongside our partners to ensure these programs are adequately funded to reduce preventable child mortality and disease globally.