Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • How community saves vulnerable children from hunger, malnutrition

    The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated hunger and malnutrition of vulnerable children by crippling livelihoods and orphaning children. Two communities have responded by donating land solely devoted to growing crops to tackle hunger and malnutrition in orphans and vulnerable children. Aside from giving crops directly to families to feed children, the volunteers who work the land also sell part of each harvest to raise money for other nutritious food for the children. Part of the crops are also used to make a nutrition powder that helps ensure children are receiving the nutrients they need.

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  • A tall order

    The Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Program and Nutrition Rehabilitation Home in Kathmandu provide resources to children experiencing, or at risk for, malnutrition, which has long been a life-threatening issue in Nepal.

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  • From 30 Million Cases to Zero

    China’s path to officially eliminating malaria began in the 1950s when a scientist in a government-funded program discovered the ancient Chinese herb Wormwood had been used to treat symptoms for centuries and went on to make the world’s top treatment. Effective coordination across many agencies, treating stagnant water, and widespread use of insecticide nets also limited cases. Today China uses the “1-3-7” method where local agencies are told of any likely case within one day, the case is confirmed within three days, and measures are taken to treat the patient and prevent further spread within seven days.

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  • COVID-19: Lessons from Polio Eradication

    The Global Polio Eradication Initiative coordinated a coalition of national governments and nonprofits to eradicate polio and may provide lessons for administering COVID-19 vaccines. GPEI helped with funding and the procurement and supply of vaccines. A network of local partners carried out vaccination initiatives and designed micro-planning strategies to reach high-risk relevant populations. Nigeria built cold chain storage, transport, and distribution systems to handle the polio vaccine, as well as a vaccine accountability management system that monitors and tracks vials throughout vaccine administration.

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  • Expanded Silver Alert system helps those with developmental disabilities

    Three years after Arizona added people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the list of people who can trigger a public alert when they go missing, advocates say the state enjoys better coordination from one community to the next. While the numbers aren't tracked, advocates say many people on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities have been quickly found and returned to safety. The state expanded its Silver Alert program, originally for missing seniors, and other states are starting to follow suit. An alert can result in notifications by phone, news and social media, and highway signs.

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  • How Bijapur fought acute malnutrition through millets and decentralisation

    In the district of Bijapur, a town in India, there was a malnutrition rate of 40 per cent in 2019. In order to tackle the problem officials identified the areas with high malnutrition and directed their efforts to those places. They introduced nutrient rich millets in child care centers. They also created kitchen gardens to provide the community with access to fresh vegetables. Finally, they brought Nutrient Rehabilitation Centers in the community since parents were hesitant to take their children to them. Two years later, malnutrition rates dropped by 12 percent.

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  • How a gene machine boosts fight against TB in Kenya

    The GeneXpert machine is being used to diagnose tuberculosis earlier, and can identify strains that are receptive to common medications as opposed to drug-resistant strains. The machine tests samples by extracting and amplifying genes. Based on the bacterium load in a sample, it reports whether there are low or high amounts of TB detected and has the capacity to test four gene samples at the same time with a 90-minute period. Because of early and accurate detection, drug-resistant cases have reduced nationwide, saving people the trauma of prolonged and expensive treatments for drug-resistant strains.

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  • 'I am not alone:' How a California county is helping Hispanic family caregivers find peace

    La Buena Vida connects caregivers from Latino households with respite care, training, and support groups. Using federal funding, the program serves as the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s resource center for Spanish-speaking family caregivers. The program also provides safety equipment, like ramps and railings. In addition to much needed emotional and physical breaks from their responsibilities, the group connects caregivers to Spanish-speaking professionals who offer counseling and support. The program staff regularly checks in with its 66 clients to see how they are doing and assess their needs.

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  • Colorado screening newborn babies for spinal muscular atrophy

    A joint project between Wyoming and Colorado screens newborns for spinal muscular atrophy, allowing them to receive gene therapies to prevent the deadly disease’s progression. Once researchers identified a protein missing from the cells of people with the disease, they developed treatments that are most effective the earlier they are started. The tests have significantly increased the number of cases identified across the two states, all of which are sent to Children’s Hospital Colorado for immediate treatment. Most babies are diagnosed within four days of birth and can start treatment soon after that.

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  • When two is a lonely number: Group aims to connect spousal caregivers, ease isolation

    Well Spouse Association helps spouses manage the mental and physical challenges of caregiving. The nonprofit offers support groups, respite weekends that give caregivers time to take care of themselves and other responsibilities, and other resources. The relationships members build with each other help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. With just 20 chapters nationwide, many members travel long distances to access the support and services, though moving meetings online due to the coronavirus pandemic had the effect of expanding membership and several members have also started local chapters.

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