Global Health Concerns: Rising Child Mortality Rates and Vaccine Policy Changes

For the first time in this century, child deaths under age five are projected to rise, with estimates suggesting an increase from 4.6 million in 2024 to 4.8 million in 2025, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

This alarming trend is attributed to significant cuts in foreign aid for health, which has dropped from $49 billion to $36 billion in just one year. Dr. Steve Lim from IHME highlights that countries most reliant on foreign aid will be the hardest hit, particularly low-income nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made consequential changes to vaccine guidelines, specifically ending the universal recommendation for hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns.

The ACIP's recent vote, which passed 8-3, now recommends the vaccine only for infants born to mothers who test positive for the virus, creating confusion among healthcare providers and parents alike. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, have criticized this decision as reckless, arguing it undermines public health efforts and may hinder vaccination rates for newborns.

This intersection of rising child mortality and changing vaccine policies raises significant concerns about global health governance and the future of public health initiatives.