Academy for Educational Development

Annual Report

Excerpt

Protecting the Lives of Vulnerable Populations

At least 38 million people in developing countries are now infected with HIV/AIDS, including approximately 10% of pregnant women in Africa.

Nearly 11 million children in developing countries die each year before reaching their fifth birthdays―36% die in the first month of life. By far the great majority of these infections and deaths are preventable.

AED mobilizes communities and governments in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East to improve preventive and treatment practices that can reduce these unconscionable numbers. AED expertise in behavior change interventions is contributing to improvements at the individual, family, health provider, and policy levels.

Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV

Linkages, AED’s USAID-funded infant feeding support program, broke new ground in Zambia by combining numerous services into one strategy to promote safer infant feeding practices and increased HIV testing for mothers.  It includes essential prenatal care and safe delivery practices, and community support for care of HIV-positive individuals.