In the United States, polio was successfully eradicated in 1977. For years, this disease plagued the world and took the lives of countless children, and left many others disabled. Today, because of increased government support, scientific advances in immunization, and humanitarian groups like Rotary International that deploy dedicated health workers for vaccination campaigns, polio is now endemic in only 3 countries. Soon, many experts believe, polio can be completely eradicated from the world through access to life-saving vaccines.
This is terrific news and it demonstrates the impact of U.S. leadership on the lives of children around the world.
Today, the leading killers of children in the developing world are completely preventable and treatable diseases, pneumonia and diarrhea. Combined, they claim the lives of more than 2 million children under the age of five die every year. Ten countries in the developing world account for 60% of these child deaths. However, with greater access to health education and resources, these countries could save the lives of children.
Earlier this year, I co-sponsored the Frontline Health Workers Resolution (H.Res. 734). This is a bipartisan resolution that is aimed at recognizing the importance of community health workers throughout the world who are providing health care to the poorest of the poor areas. These individuals often have to travel days by foot and rely on a backpack of supplies to deliver life-saving health care to rural communities. In short, without them, millions of families throughout the world would never receive health care because they live too far away to access hospitals, clinics, doctors and nurses.
By providing vaccinations, basic antibiotics to treat pneumonia, oral rehydration therapy and zinc to treat diarrhea, and other health services, frontline health workers are often the difference between life and death. According to RESULTS, the Ethiopian government trained 40,000 community health workers and sent them out into the rural regions across that country. Five years later, there was a 50% reduction in malaria related deaths. This is impressive and speaks volume to the effectiveness of frontline health workers.
This month, UNICEF reported under-five child deaths dropped from 12 million a year in 1990 to 6.9 million a year in 2010 thanks to many of the services provided by frontline health workers. This is an incredible accomplishment, but more must be done.
In order to continue to lower child mortality rates and to prevent further deaths from pneumonia and diarrhea, I will continue to support efforts by our nation and others to support frontline health workers. By aiding those most in need, health workers throughout the world are saving children and teaching them important health skills that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. I applaud those working on the frontlines and know that you are helping to end preventable childhood deaths.
Now, He's doing so many pro forma type votes that mean nothing but look good to some people. Peeling back the cover leads to the truth about his right wing agenda that is not friendly toward people needing healthcare or public aid. This resolution funds nothing, its like a power point. Nothing new. The fact that he's in a campaign opens up rebuttle to his campaigning. It's fair game and worthwhile to point out his many failings for the tenth district.
You're being snookered!
World Health Organization estimates a shortage of at least one million frontline health workers, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia. Millions more existing health workers could save millions lives if they well trained and supported. Am sure this will stimulate greater investments in frontline health workers in the developing world to save more lives and foster healthier communities! Kudos Congressman Robert and we need more Roberts in the world!
Don't criticize the rest of us who are fed up and are demanding something better. And don't demand that we vote for Brad Schneider, who is on record as promising to completely toe the Democratic party line in place of someone who doesn't completely toe the his party line. President Obama demanded that the Bush Tax Cut issue be dealt with after the election along with the massive federal spending cuts we will be facing. Both kick in on 1/1/13. President Obama puts his reelection ahead of the fiscal catastrophe facing our nation according to Bob Woodward of the Washington Post. You know, the fellow who exposed Watergate back in the day. And I love VP Biden's admission that the middle class has taken a beating the last four years. The last four years that Obama and Biden have been holding office! You voting for more of that too? But then, there is no intelligence test for voters who demand more of the same these days!
The Democrats moved to create an "equal" health plan for the rest of us (excludes themselves and union cronies) - unfortunately, it will be an equally BAD one.
The State cannot revoke the laws of economics through legislation.
PBS just broadcast an amazing documentary called "Half The Sky:Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" on Oct 1 & 2. It was very powerful to hear Dr. Edna Adan talking about a maternity hospital she helped build in Somaliland (which has a very high maternal & infant mortality rate) & how she is training young women to be midwives & healthcare workers, so that they can go out into all of the different areas of that country and HELP women in the community. THIS kind of work, which directly impacts women & children in some of the poorest parts of the world, is exactly what our foreign aid dollars support. Thank you again for ensuring that they will have a future!