A group of women sit on benches in a waiting area, each holding a young child. The background features several posted notices on the wall. A healthcare worker bends over a table on the right side of the image.
People gather near a water distribution point, carrying yellow jerry cans. The setting is a rural area with dirt ground, trees, and buildings in the background.
Feb 21, 2024

Zero-dose children are an indicator of broader inequities

Increasingly, conflict, displacement, and climate change impact access to life-saving vaccines. These factors can result in millions of children around the world not receiving immunizations, often described as “zero-dose children”.
Feb 14, 2024

Getting ahead of diarrhea outbreaks in 2024

Are we ready to face the heat of 2024? This continuing record-breaking average global temperature is being exacerbated. How will this influence the prevalence of diarrheal diseases?
A close-up of a baby receiving an oral vaccine. The baby is wearing a white hat and onesie, while an adult's hand is gently holding the baby's head and administering the vaccine with a dropper. The adult wears a white and blue striped sweater.
Feb 07, 2024

Findings from more than a decade of rotavirus vaccine roll-out

Rotavirus vaccines became available in 2006. How have they made an impact?
An informative graphic on a dark background depicts the Rotavirus and includes text stating: "Rotavirus: most lethal form of diarrheal disease, vaccines are the only way to prevent it." The word "DEFEATDD" appears in a blue rectangular box in the bottom right corner.
Jan 24, 2024

How does rotavirus cause diarrhea?

There are six pathogens that are responsible for the majority of childhood diarrhea: Shigella, rotavirus, adenovirus, enterotoxigenic E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Campylobacter. But what exactly is rotavirus?
A collage with four images: A child in a hospital bed, a poster for World Toilet Day 2023, an infographic on diarrhea dangers, and children at a water pump. The collage highlights the impact of diarrhea and the importance of hygiene and sanitation.
Jan 10, 2024

Reader’s Favorites in 2023

As we ready ourselves for the new year, let’s learn from past blogs by taking a look at the top five DefeatDD blogs–reader’s favorites–in 2023
Two babies are sitting on the laps of adults. One baby wears a white outfit, looking inquisitively at the other, who holds a document. The adults wear colorful patterned clothing, seated closely together.
Dec 13, 2023

The Impact of Introducing Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in Chad, Guinea, Somalia and South Sudan

Pneumonia and diarrhea continue to be leading infectious causes of childhood mortality, what do we know about the impact of immunizations?
A promotional image for World Toilet Day 2023. Large yellow and white text reads "Be the change. Use your voice" on a black background. A colorful bird illustration is featured below the text. Logos for World Toilet Day and "Sanitation for All: Countdown to 2030" are at the top.
Nov 22, 2023

You have a role to play to ensure safe sanitation for all

World Toilet Day might be over, but the UN Water logo of the dedicated hummingbird from the ancient story is still flapping its wings, reminding us of what we announced at the UN Water Conference in March 2023.
A person in a blue hijab stands outside behind walls made of vertical wooden sticks, next to a concrete slab with a blue-painted hole, which appears to be a latrine. The ground is bare and the walls create narrow pathways. The sky is grey.
Nov 16, 2023

World Toilet Day 2023: a time to remember that diarrhoeal disease is a global health crisis targeting our children

Sanitation is a human right and yet 3.5 billion people still have no safe toilets and 419 million still have to defecate in the open.
A child runs past an outdoor toilet structure. The image promotes World Toilet Day 2023 with the message: "Invest in diarrhea prevention and treatment for every child." Colorful arrows emphasize movement and urgency. Hashtags: #WorldToiletDay #DefeatDD.
Nov 06, 2023

World Toilet Day: Don't Stall

World Toilet Day is a global observation recognized annually. This year, our theme is “Don’t Stall” to promote urgency in addressing some of the most dire global health challenges.
A healthcare worker in a floral print dress administers an oral vaccine to a baby held by a woman wearing a colorful headscarf and patterned clothing. The scene is indoors with medical supplies in the background, emphasizing a healthcare setting.
Nov 01, 2023

Can Vaccines Protect Children’s Growth?

PATH analyzed the potential impact of a Shigella vaccine that could combat growth faltering as a result of diarrhea infection.