Child and maternal health is a top priority for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has provided more than $2.5 billion in assistance to child survival programs since 1990. It supports special initiatives such as polio eradication, vitamin A supplementation, and food aid.

Together with other government partners – the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – USAID provides the expertise and financial support that are the lifeblood of many partnerships and programs in child health and survival worldwide.

CSHGP Factsheet

Child Survival and Health Grants Program

USAID's Child Survival and Health Grants Program (CSHGP) utilizes the expertise of PVOs and NGOs to implement projects that improve the health of vulnerable populations. The CORE Group, a network of 44 NGOs focused on maternal and child health, and a member of the US Coalition for Child Survival, is a vital part of the CSHGP.

For further information, visit the Child Health section of USAID's Web site.

Environmental Health Project

The Environmental Health Project at USAID provides information about the impact that environmental factors have on child health. Visit their Web site at www.ehproject.org.

Maternal and Child Health Strategic Programming and Priorities

In July 2008, USAID released a new report to Congress, "Working Toward the Goal of Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality: USAID Programming and Response to FY08 Appropriations". The report includes details of USAID's strategic programming for maternal and child health activities in 30 priority countries.

On September 4, 2008, key USAID staff made a presentation on the report at an event sponsored by the US Coalition for Child Survival. The slides from the presentation, "Strategically Focusing USAID's MCH Resources: The FY08 Launch", are available here.

	Working Toward the Goal of Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality: USAID Programming and Response to FY08 Appropriations (pdf) - USAID Research Guide: Malaria (pdf) - USAID Knowledge Services Center - June 18, 2008