Gates Foundation Calls for Urgent Action as Child Mortality Rates Rise for the First Time This Century

Rising Child Mortality: A Call to Action

The Gates Foundation has issued an urgent plea for global leaders to address a concerning trend: the projected increase in child mortality rates. For the first time in 20 years, the number of children dying before their fifth birthday is set to rise, reversing decades of hard-won progress in public health. According to the Gates Foundation's 2025 Goalkeepers Report, about 4.8 million children are expected to die this year—an increase of over 200,000 from the previous year.

A Critical Turning Point

The report, backed by data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), highlights significant cuts in global health funding, which have plummeted by nearly 27% compared to 2024 levels. This financial strain, coupled with rising global debt and fragile health systems, poses a dire risk of losing achievements made against prevalent diseases such as malaria, HIV, and polio.

Bill Gates, founder of the Gates Foundation, emphasized the need for immediate action: "Even in a time of tight budgets, we can make a big difference... With millions of lives at stake, we must do more with less, now."

The stakes are high; if current budget cuts persist, projections show that up to 16 million children could die by 2045.

Effective Interventions

Amid the worrying trends, the report outlines actionable solutions that could prevent this reversal. Key recommendations include investing in effective interventions such as primary health care, routine immunizations, and better vaccines. For instance, a robust primary healthcare system, costing less than $100 per person annually, could prevent up to 90% of child deaths.

Moreover, the investments in vaccinations have historically shown exceptional returns. For every dollar spent on vaccines, the economic and social benefits amount to $54. The work of initiatives like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, serves as a prime example, providing life-saving vaccines to more than 1.2 billion children since its inception in 2000.

Gates also referenced the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which has saved around 70 million lives and achieved a more than 60% reduction in deaths caused by these diseases since 2002. The recent $11.34 billion pledged to the Global Fund underscores the importance of sustained investment in public health initiatives.

Next-Generation Innovations

Beyond traditional methods, the report encourages government and philanthropic partnerships to fund next-generation innovations that address deadly threats to child health. For example, new malaria-prevention tools could save an estimated 5.7 million children, while advanced vaccines for pneumonia could protect an additional 3.4 million.

Voices from the Field

The Goalkeepers Report also amplifies the voices of local leaders in Africa and Asia who are championing innovative solutions in health. In Nigeria, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya highlighted that effective progress can be made even amid budget shortfalls. Community health worker Josephine Barasa from Kenya continued her volunteer work despite losing her paid position, demonstrating unwavering commitment to supporting mothers and children.

In India, pediatrician Dr. Naveen Thacker stressed the vital necessity of affordable and accessible vaccines, remarking on their pivotal role in improving child health.

The Road Ahead

Bill Gates’ call to action urges all stakeholders to advocate for increased funding for children’s health, reiterating that every child deserves the opportunity to survive and thrive, regardless of their birthplace. As he summarizes, "We can't stop at almost. If we shift our focus and investment now, future generations will tell a different story about child survival."

The 2025 Goalkeepers report is a critical resource for understanding the current landscape of child health and outlines a path forward to tackle these pressing challenges effectively. For those interested in further details, the full report is available at the Gates Foundation's official website.

As we stand at this pivotal moment in global health, the collective commitment to investing in our children’s futures will determine the legacy of our generation.