For the First Time This Century, Child Mortality Is Likely to Rise.

The article focuses on a report from the Gates Foundation highlighting a projected increase in child mortality rates from preventable diseases for the first time in 25 years. This rise is attributed primarily to significant cuts—nearly 27% in the past year—in global health funding by major donors, including the United States, which could lead to an additional 200,000 deaths of children under five this year and potentially 16 million more by 2045 if reductions continue. The report emphasizes that sustained investment in primary health care, vaccinations, and nutrition is crucial to reversing this trend and supporting economic growth in low-income countries. The Gates Foundation remains hopeful that emerging innovations, such as new vaccines and AI-based health programs, will improve outcomes, but stresses that their impact depends on renewed global funding commitments.