Every day, approximately 800 women around the world
die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and
childbirth.
In addition, more than 17,000 children under five years
old will die each day of treatable conditions such as
prematurity, pneumonia, and diarrhea—with malnutrition
being the underlying cause in nearly half of those
deaths.
Due in part to American leadership, the annual number of
deaths of children under the age of five has been cut in
half since 1990. Nevertheless, far too many mothers,
newborns, and young children under the age of five still
succumb to disease and malnutrition, especially given
the fact that many life-saving maternal and child health
programs are well-known and cost-effective. These
life-saving interventions include clean birthing
practices, vaccines, nutritional supplements,
hand-washing with soap, and other basic needs that
remain elusive for far too many women and children in
developing countries.
This week, the Center for Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS) announced the establishment of a Task
Force on Women’s and Family Health, to which I am
honored to have been named. The purpose of the CSIS
Task Force is to identify pragmatic solutions – on a
bipartisan basis – so that America can continue to make
an effective and sustained impact on the health of women
and families in the countries that most need our help.
The Task Force is made up of a diverse group of notable
leaders, all with extensive expertise and a commitment
to examining the facts, making tough choices, and
working across differing political views to achieve a
unified vision for the future. Over the course of the
next year, the Task Force will examine current U.S.
investments in global programs that address a broad
spectrum of issues affecting the health of women and
families to determine what has been done, what has
worked, and what opportunities remain to increase the
effectiveness and sustainability of existing programs.
The Task Force will chart a concrete road map for the
next Administration and Congress to guide U.S. global
policy on women’s and family health. Information about
the work being done by our Task Force can be found at:
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My appointment to this Task Force follows other
initiatives I have pursued to improve the lives of women
and families around the world. This summer, I
introduced the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child
Act with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). Our legislation
would strengthen U.S. government efforts to end
preventable deaths of mothers, newborns, and young
children in the developing world. Our bill would help
accelerate the deployment of simple, proven, and
cost-effective interventions the mothers and children
who need them most to survive.
The United States has joined with the international community in setting a goal to end preventable maternal and child deaths by the year 2035. I look forward to the opportunity to participate in this bipartisan Task Force to help ensure that the U.S. will meet its commitment to end preventable deaths of mothers and children worldwide.
