For the first time in a quarter-century, child mortality rates for preventable diseases are projected to increase, reversing a long-standing trend of decline. This estimate, produced by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, was included in the Goalkeepers report from the Gates Foundation. It indicates that an additional 200,000 children under the age of five may die this year from diseases that could be prevented through vaccines or other medical treatments.

The increase in mortality is attributed to various economic and political factors, with significant cuts to global health spending from major donors, including the U.S., being the most critical. Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, highlighted the paradox of rising wealth alongside increasing child mortality, stating, "It’s a tragedy that the world is richer, and yet because we have made disproportionate cuts to the money that helps the world’s poorest children, more of them are dying."

The Gates Foundation focuses on improving maternal and child health to reduce childhood mortality. Gates has expressed a commitment to spend the foundation’s remaining funds over the next two decades, aiming to halve the current childhood mortality rate of 4.8 million deaths per year to approximately 2.5 million. However, he noted that achieving this goal is challenging if mortality rates are on the rise.

In the past year, global health spending by major donors has decreased by nearly 27%. If this trend continues or worsens, the report estimates that an additional 16 million children could die from preventable causes by 2045. Gates described this reduction in funding as a catalyst for a cycle of poverty that hampers countries, particularly in Africa, from developing sustainable health systems. He emphasized that investing in health now is crucial for the economic growth of these nations.

Despite the concerning rise in childhood mortality, Gates remains hopeful that future innovations, such as new vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and treatments for malaria and tuberculosis, will improve health outcomes. He also pointed to the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance healthcare access, particularly in regions with severe doctor shortages. The Gates Foundation is involved in pilot programs utilizing AI to support expectant mothers and individuals with HIV.

However, the success of these innovations is contingent upon sustained funding for global health initiatives. Gates urged for a return to generous funding, stating, "It is money extremely well spent, so we need to get the generosity back." He expressed his intention to collaborate with U.S. government officials to advocate for increased support for global health.