World Pneumonia Day is marked every year on 12th November to create awareness about Pneumonia. Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection commonly caused by bacteria or viruses. It is the single biggest infection killer of children and adults claiming the lives of 2.5 million, including 6,72,000 children in 2019.
Overall, India accounts for 23 percent of the pneumonia burden globally and the fatality rate of cases ranges between 14-30 percent.
What is Pneumonia?
Any infection causing an inflammatory response in the lung is called pneumonia. Pneumonia is caused majorly by viral or bacterial infections like influenza. Covid 19 virus can also affect the lungs and cause serious inflammatory damage.
Hence, awareness should be created on World Pneumonia Day 2024.
World Pneumonia Day: History
In 2009, Pneumonia day was announced by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia, which is an association of government, non-government, educational, research, community-based organizations.
As per the Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control for Pneumonia by WHO and UNICEF in 2013, the aim is to reduce the number of deaths caused by pneumonia to 3 deaths per 1000 children by 2025.
Also, Check: World Heart Day
World Pneumonia Day: Significance
The leading factors for Pneumonia are indoor and outdoor air pollution, non-exclusive breastfeeding, malnutrition, low birth weight, etc.
Pneumonia Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the disease, its harmful effects, causes, prevention, and treatment. Its motive is to reduce the deaths caused by fatal diseases.
