A Future for the World's Children

A WHO-UNICEF-Lancet Commission, made up of leading child health experts from around the world, has produced a landmark report on child health and well-being, entitled A future for the world’s children? 

This report repositions every aspect of child health through the lens of our rapidly changing climate and other existential threats to children; proposes novel solutions; and calls for urgent action. 

Progress on indicators of child health and well-being is currently stalled across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but can be jump-started with the right focus, leadership, involvement, policies and investment. 

1. The health and rights of all children and adolescents are under threat. Some of the most pressing harms include a rapidly changing climate, mass commercial marketing of harmful products like sugar, fast food, tobacco and alcohol, and growing inequities. 

2. When we invest in children, we invest in the future. Investing in a child’s health, development and their environment bring benefits throughout life, and across generations. 

3. We call on governments, civil society, communities and young people around the world to join a global movement that puts child and adolescent health at the centre of the Sustainable Development Goals. Threats to their health and well-being must be addressed, ensuring no child is left behind. 

4. Strong, unified action today – including stopping greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible - is the only way to promote children’s healthy growth and development and protect their rights. 

5. A global movement for children cannot take place without them at the heart. Children and youth must be invited into discussions, meaningfully engaged, and their views respected as key stakeholders in decision making and policies that affect their health and their futures.