Childhood Health
For economically disadvantaged families worldwide, the basic building blocks of childhood health can seem unobtainable. The ramifications for children are profound, snowballing from struggles to stay in school to a higher risk of lifetime poverty to dramatically diminished life expectancies. Fighting preventable childhood illness is key to our mission. We focus on timely interventions that can mitigate a number of common childhood afflictions including obesity in the U.S., and malnutrition, poor sanitation and other maladies in Africa and India.
Childhood Health in the US
In the United States, fully one-third of children are overweight or obese, and early onset of Type 2 diabetes is epidemic. We’re working to reverse this trend with childhood obesity prevention and wellness programs that promote healthy eating behaviors, and better access to healthy foods and safe environments for exercise. Our other U.S. health initiatives focus on:
- Applied pediatric research into the origins of chronic diseases that are a leading cause of premature death
- Basic health services for under- and uninsured children
- Childhood safety for neglected and abused children
Childhood Health in India
In India, 120 million children live in extreme poverty. Many dwell in urban slums that completely lack clean water, sanitation and access to basic health services. To help these impoverished children and families thrive, we support community and school-based health interventions in cities nationwide.
Childhood Health in South Africa
Our work in Africa focuses on South African communities where there’s a widespread need to deliver basic services to orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. We have also funded a variety of pan-Africa initiatives that provide basic health services including vaccines, and access to clean water, sanitation and better nutrition to specific target communities.