Guidelines for Child Health in Emergencies
Author Information
Author(s): Burton Adrian
Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Can a single set of comprehensive clinical guidelines improve child health care during humanitarian crises?
Conclusion
The lack of comprehensive clinical guidelines for child health in emergencies affects the efficiency of care provided to children.
Supporting Evidence
- Children under 5 are the most likely to die during humanitarian crises.
- Two-thirds of those who died in the 1991 Kurdish refugee crisis were under 5 years of age.
- 74% of all children under age 5 in displaced persons camps died during the 1992 Somali famine.
- 54% of all deaths among Rwandan and Burundian refugees in 1996 were children under 5.
- Almost half of the deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been among children under 5.
Takeaway
Children are at high risk during disasters, and having clear health guidelines can help save their lives. Relief agencies need to work together to create these guidelines.
Potential Biases
Different agencies may have conflicting interests and may not adopt common guidelines due to concerns over independence.
Limitations
Current guidelines are often not tailored for emergency situations and may not be effective for less trained personnel.
Participant Demographics
Children under 5 are particularly affected in humanitarian crises.
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