Child Deaths Are Rising – And It’s Not Normal

Author: Emily Byers, Managing Director Global Development at Save the Children Action Network

The 2025 Goalkeepers Report confirmed what humanitarian aid workers have been warning: For the first time this century, preventable deaths are climbing among children under 5. 

In 2025, 4.8 million kids died before their fifth birthday, up from 4.6 million the year before.  Since 2000, under-5 deaths have dropped by more than half – but massive disruptions and terminations of global health programs are eroding the foundations of that progress.  

Our sister organization, Save the Children, has long provided support to national health systems to deliver these critical interventions. Prenatal checkups, postnatal care and treatment for infections like pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea help mothers and babies survive – alongside immunizations, nutrition screenings and hygiene essentials.  

Save the Children supports frontline health workers who often walk miles to reach newborns in rural Kenya, support safe at-home deliveries in remote Bangladesh and bring innovative medical solutions to communities around the world – like a new tool to identify low birthweight using a newborns food length. 

Lifesaving work like this relies on strong health systems that provide reliable, quality care to moms and babies. Our lawmakers have stood firm in funding this work. But if those funds aren’t used to get back on track, up to 16 million more children could die by 2045.  

That’s why Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) advocates tirelessly for U.S. policies and programs that work effectively to end preventable mother and child deaths.

It’s time for Congress to take action. It’s time to help kids grow up healthy and strong.