After years as the forgotten killer of children, pneumoniais finally going to have its day. Literally. Monday November2 is the first ever WorldPneumonia Day and by all appearances this could be the tipping point forthis disease. What makes me thinkso?
For the longest time, no one knew pneumonia and few realizedthat it was global health’s most solvable problem. We had situation aftersituation where globalhealth leaders discussed global health without ever mentioning the leadingkiller of children.
But we’re beginning to see evidence of changes. In the last week, we’ve seen that Bill and Melinda Gates know pneumonia(see their TVinterview with ABC news’ Charlie Gibson). David Lane, president of ONE,knows pneumonia – and you know that if ONE works on it that U2’s Bono must know pneumonia. Former Senate Majority leader Bill Frist and Rwandan Minister of HealthRichard Sezibera – physicians who have become government leaders – published aneditorial in this week’s issue of The Lancetcalling for more emphasis on pneumonia.
On Monday in New York City, I’ll be joining internationalmusical star Angélique Kidjo, ABCNews’ Rich Besser, and international economic guru Jeff Sachs at a Global PneumoniaSummit where we’ll issue a call to action and highlight a three-prongedapproach to pneumonia control and prevention that can dramatically reducepneumonia’s impact worldwide.
As nice as it is to have international leaders recognizepneumonia the reason I think that we’re at the tipping point is because of theresponse I’m seeing from the very countries where pneumonia is the leadingkiller of children. In Shanghai,China, recently I was approached by a pediatrician from Bandung, Indonesia whodetailed her plans for public events with the media on World Pneumonia Day. A few days later I got an email from acolleague in Kinshasa who arranged a soccer match between local journalists andhospital staff that was followed by interviews that appeared on national TV inCongo. Most recently, it’s thewalk for pneumonia in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja. This list goes on andincludes The Gambia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Nigeria, and from India, astatement from the Health Minister!
These countries represent the very places on earth wherenearly all child deaths from pneumonia occur. The range of innovative ideas is all the more encouragingbecause they come from the local voices that are key to sustaining any progressmade on world pneumonia day. Andthat is why it feels like the tipping point.
Pneumonia takes the life of a child every 15 seconds. You can make a difference on worldpneumonia day by doing something different from your everyday routine. You can send a letter to your electedofficials, or let the leaders of your local church, synagogue or mosque knowabout pneumonia. You can wear blue jeans on Monday or get involved in thedodgeball tournament being organized by the Best Shotfoundation. Make a donation tothe GAVI Alliance or Save the Children or sign the worldpneumonia day pledge. Or better yetgenerate your own ideas.
But in taking a few minutes from your Monday know that you’llbe joining thousands of people around the world – from Bandung to Brazil - and who knows, maybe you’ll help makethis the tipping point for pneumonia control and prevention.