In a commentary in the Washington Times on Jan. 18, Charles MacCormack suggested the following five practical steps for the new administration and Congress that can make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children both at home and abroad:

·         Save children and mothers:  Solutions need to be found for the large number of children without reliable access to health care.  More than 9 million children around the world die each year before their fifth birthday from causes that are treatable and preventable. 

·         Conquer hunger among children and improve their nutrition:  Food prices are up, economies are down, and safety nets are fraying. 

·         Provide basic education for all children:  Protect children and lift up their lives while enhancing the capacity of developing nations to progress.  Eliminate the education deficit that traps children and families in poverty. 

·         Give children a Head Start in school and life:  One-fifth of children living in poverty in the United States are unable to access robust early education, depriving them of the foundation for a richer and fuller school experience and adult life. 

·         Include children in disaster preparedness planning at home and abroad:  FEMA and Congress must ensure that children are protected before, during and after disasters so families are kept together. 

Charles MacCormack is the president and CEO of Save the Children in Westport, Conn.  Click here for the full text of the commentary.  The article was listed in the Daily Local Health Alert, published by the DC Primary Care Association in Washington, D.C.  To subscribe to this free daily compendium about health care in the D.C. metropolitan area, send your e-mail address to Audrey Kudler, akudler@dcpca.org, and request to be added to the list.