Bill Gates: Climate Change threatens global child health

CAIRO - 17 September 2024: According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in a new report, climate change will significantly exacerbate the child malnutrition crisis by 2050.

The report, shared via Reuters, warns that an additional 40 million children will experience stunted growth, and 28 million more will suffer from wasting—the most severe and irreversible form of malnutrition.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, called this "the worst global child health crisis" and emphasized the urgent need to address malnutrition.

The report outlines how climate change will intensify this crisis in the coming decades. Gates highlighted that without proper nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood, children will not be able to recover from the developmental setbacks caused by malnutrition.

By 2050, the report estimates that an extra 40 million children will suffer from stunted growth, and 28 million will experience wasting. These conditions not only hinder physical and mental development but also increase the risk of life-threatening diseases such as measles and malaria, leading to premature death.

Gates underscored the critical importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood. He stated, "If you don’t get adequate nutrition during pregnancy or in your early years, you can never fully recover." He emphasized that around 90% of the negative effects of climate change on child health will occur through disruptions to food systems, including crop failures caused by drought or heavy rainfall.

The Gates Foundation is advocating for increased funding and research into nutrition, particularly through initiatives like the Child Nutrition Fund, a UNICEF-led platform aimed at coordinating donor funding. Gates stressed the need for innovative approaches, such as food fortification and improving access to prenatal multivitamins, which he believes could be as impactful as vaccines in improving child health in the world's poorest regions.

Currently, the World Health Organization estimates that 148 million children suffer from stunting, and 45 million experience wasting. To combat this growing crisis, the Gates Foundation has committed a record $6.8 billion to global health initiatives this year.

As climate change continues to threaten global food security and nutrition, the report highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions and increased global cooperation to safeguard the health and future of millions of vulnerable children.