Primary Health Care Programs

Each year millions of vulnerable people, especially children, die unnecessarily of disease and malnutrition because they lack access to basic healthcare and nutrition.  The American Red Cross is focusing its health response to this crisis in three areas: Combating Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases (HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis), Maternal and Child Health and Emergency Health.

In the world's poorest regions, the American Red Cross trains local health promoters, volunteers and caregivers to advocate and teach proper health practices such as breast-feeding, sanitation and the detection of early signs of disease in children.  This network of health promoters, including youth/peer educators, is the critical community link for national and local disease prevention programs such as vaccine campaigns, distribution of bed nets against malaria and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Measles Initiative: Saving Lives in Africa