Management of pneumonia in community settings

WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement

Authors: World Health Organization; UNICEF
Number of pages: 8
Publication date: 2004
Languages: English, French
WHO reference number: WHO/FCH/CAH/04.06

Overview

Pneumonia remains a major killer of children under five years of age. The best way to reduce deaths from pneumonia is to provide prompt and effective treatment. In many places in the world, this means bringing treatment closer to the home. There is conclusive evidence that treatment in the community significantly reduces mortality, and that community health workers can be effectively trained, supplied, and supported on a large scale.

This Joint Statement, prepared by WHO and UNICEF, provides examples of large-scale programmes, describes some of the barriers to effective care, and suggests steps that countries can take to reduce pneumonia-related mortality.