What we are reading...

The article discusses why many young adults struggle to form social connections, highlighting research by Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki and his colleague Rui Pei. It explains that young people underestimate others’ warmth, spend more time alone, and are affected by polarized online culture, but taking small social risks can build stronger relationships and improve well‑being.

The article discusses why many young adults struggle to form social connections, highlighting research by Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki and his colleague Rui Pei. It explains that young people underestimate others’ warmth, spend more time alone, and are affected by polarized online culture, but taking small social risks can build stronger relationships and improve well‑being.

A child-crafted declaration calling on African leaders to ensure free, inclusive schooling, safe environments, fair treatment, and essential learning resources. It urges governments to protect children from violence, support family stability, include youth in decisions, and provide safe technology, health services, and opportunities for all African children.

A child-crafted declaration calling on African leaders to ensure free, inclusive schooling, safe environments, fair treatment, and essential learning resources. It urges governments to protect children from violence, support family stability, include youth in decisions, and provide safe technology, health services, and opportunities for all African children.

The article argues that expanding early access to books and reading opportunities is crucial to addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis, improving education outcomes and unlocking future potential. Enhancing book access through libraries, early reading programs and community initiatives can help transform young lives and the country’s future.

The article argues that expanding early access to books and reading opportunities is crucial to addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis, improving education outcomes and unlocking future potential. Enhancing book access through libraries, early reading programs and community initiatives can help transform young lives and the country’s future.

This report provides practical advice for policymakers and programme designers on how to develop, deliver and scale early childhood parenting interventions. It outlines evidence-based principles, key components, implementation strategies, monitoring tools and contextual considerations to improve child development outcomes through supportive parenting practices and early learning environments.

This report provides practical advice for policymakers and programme designers on how to develop, deliver and scale early childhood parenting interventions. It outlines evidence-based principles, key components, implementation strategies, monitoring tools and contextual considerations to improve child development outcomes through supportive parenting practices and early learning environments.

This study explored factors influencing micronutrient supplementation (MMS) adherence among non‑pregnant women of reproductive age in Johannesburg. Embedded in a preconception MMS trial, researchers interviewed women and community health workers to identify facilitators (family support, health worker interaction, easy access) and barriers (lack of support, stigma, and perceived lack of benefit) affecting MMS use. It highlights the need for tailored counselling, community support, and trained providers to improve adherence.

This study explored factors influencing micronutrient supplementation (MMS) adherence among non‑pregnant women of reproductive age in Johannesburg. Embedded in a preconception MMS trial, researchers interviewed women and community health workers to identify facilitators (family support, health worker interaction, easy access) and barriers (lack of support, stigma, and perceived lack of benefit) affecting MMS use. It highlights the need for tailored counselling, community support, and trained providers to improve adherence.

This is a research article examining how starting South Africa’s Child Support Grant (CSG) during pregnancy could improve maternal and neonatal health. It reviews pregnancy support programmes from 27 countries, identifying design features that enhance uptake, coverage, and health impact. The study argues that extending the CSG prenatally could reduce poverty‑related risks, support early nutrition, and strengthen maternal and child well‑being outcomes.

This is a research article examining how starting South Africa’s Child Support Grant (CSG) during pregnancy could improve maternal and neonatal health. It reviews pregnancy support programmes from 27 countries, identifying design features that enhance uptake, coverage, and health impact. The study argues that extending the CSG prenatally could reduce poverty‑related risks, support early nutrition, and strengthen maternal and child well‑being outcomes.

The article argues that structural inequality leaves pregnant women and their babies vulnerable to poverty, malnutrition, and stunting and that South Africa’s social protection system still excludes pregnant women. It makes a case for a Maternal Support Grant, outlining its social justice, health, and economic benefits, and features expert insights on why supporting expectant mothers is crucial for improved child development and long‑term societal outcomes.

The article argues that structural inequality leaves pregnant women and their babies vulnerable to poverty, malnutrition, and stunting and that South Africa’s social protection system still excludes pregnant women. It makes a case for a Maternal Support Grant, outlining its social justice, health, and economic benefits, and features expert insights on why supporting expectant mothers is crucial for improved child development and long‑term societal outcomes.

This evidence review documents how South Africa’s high levels of alcohol consumption cause widespread harm to children and teens before birth (foetal alcohol spectrum disorders), through unsafe homes, road crashes, violence, depression, risky sex, school dropout and community trauma. It highlights links between binge drinking culture and child/adolescent injury and developmental harm, and calls for evidence‑based actions such as stricter alcohol policies (advertising bans, minimum unit pricing, restricted sales hours), stronger enforcement, community mobilisation, and public health interventions to protect young people.

This evidence review documents how South Africa’s high levels of alcohol consumption cause widespread harm to children and teens before birth (foetal alcohol spectrum disorders), through unsafe homes, road crashes, violence, depression, risky sex, school dropout and community trauma. It highlights links between binge drinking culture and child/adolescent injury and developmental harm, and calls for evidence‑based actions such as stricter alcohol policies (advertising bans, minimum unit pricing, restricted sales hours), stronger enforcement, community mobilisation, and public health interventions to protect young people.

This is a practical synthesis summarising lessons from various caregiver support programmes to help philanthropic funders in South Africa understand what works in supporting caregivers and families. It distils key insights on approaches, outcomes, implementation challenges and effective practices, guiding funder decisions to strengthen caregiver services and impact.

This is a practical synthesis summarising lessons from various caregiver support programmes to help philanthropic funders in South Africa understand what works in supporting caregivers and families. It distils key insights on approaches, outcomes, implementation challenges and effective practices, guiding funder decisions to strengthen caregiver services and impact.

This commentary discusses research priorities for integrating multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) into routine antenatal care. It highlights the need for well-designed studies to compare MMS with standard iron–folic acid supplementation, focusing on critical maternal and birth outcomes, implementation challenges, and equity to inform future policy and guidelines.

This commentary discusses research priorities for integrating multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) into routine antenatal care. It highlights the need for well-designed studies to compare MMS with standard iron–folic acid supplementation, focusing on critical maternal and birth outcomes, implementation challenges, and equity to inform future policy and guidelines.

This study used growth mixture modeling on South African high-school students to identify four distinct adolescent substance-use trajectories (three increasing, one stable). It found that healthy leisure experiences were linked to lower use, suggesting that promoting meaningful leisure could help prevent or reduce adolescent substance use.

This study used growth mixture modeling on South African high-school students to identify four distinct adolescent substance-use trajectories (three increasing, one stable). It found that healthy leisure experiences were linked to lower use, suggesting that promoting meaningful leisure could help prevent or reduce adolescent substance use.

This report shows that over 80% of South African learners cannot read for meaning by Grade 3, and home language proficiency strongly predicts later success in additional languages and grade progression. While teacher reading competencies have improved, maths knowledge lags. Provincial assessments and programmes like the Western Cape’s Back-on-Track show promising effects, but systemic challenges—including budget constraints, unfunded mandates, teacher supply gaps, and weak national planning—continue to limit improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy.

This report shows that over 80% of South African learners cannot read for meaning by Grade 3, and home language proficiency strongly predicts later success in additional languages and grade progression. While teacher reading competencies have improved, maths knowledge lags. Provincial assessments and programmes like the Western Cape’s Back-on-Track show promising effects, but systemic challenges—including budget constraints, unfunded mandates, teacher supply gaps, and weak national planning—continue to limit improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy.

This is a research preprint reporting a South African neuroimaging study showing that children aged 6–7 born to mothers who were anaemic during pregnancy have persistently smaller brain volumes (corpus callosum and caudate nucleus) compared with those whose mothers were not anaemic. It highlights long‑term neurodevelopmental effects of antenatal anaemia.

This is a research preprint reporting a South African neuroimaging study showing that children aged 6–7 born to mothers who were anaemic during pregnancy have persistently smaller brain volumes (corpus callosum and caudate nucleus) compared with those whose mothers were not anaemic. It highlights long‑term neurodevelopmental effects of antenatal anaemia.

This systematic review examined the age at which congenital or early-onset hearing loss is identified in South Africa. Analysing 10 studies involving 1,501 children, the pooled mean age of diagnosis was 30 months far later than the recommended one month. The findings highlight significant delays in early detection and emphasise the urgent need to strengthen newborn hearing screening, address barriers to early identification, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve paediatric hearing outcomes.

This systematic review examined the age at which congenital or early-onset hearing loss is identified in South Africa. Analysing 10 studies involving 1,501 children, the pooled mean age of diagnosis was 30 months far later than the recommended one month. The findings highlight significant delays in early detection and emphasise the urgent need to strengthen newborn hearing screening, address barriers to early identification, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve paediatric hearing outcomes.

This is a study investigating how maternal and child anemia affects early brain development in South African children. Using brain imaging, the researchers found associations between anemia during pregnancy or early childhood and alterations in brain structure, suggesting potential long-term cognitive and neurodevelopmental impacts of early-life iron deficiency.

This is a study investigating how maternal and child anemia affects early brain development in South African children. Using brain imaging, the researchers found associations between anemia during pregnancy or early childhood and alterations in brain structure, suggesting potential long-term cognitive and neurodevelopmental impacts of early-life iron deficiency.

Micronutrients are vital for healthy growth and pregnancy, yet many women in low- and middle-income countries face deficiencies. Daily requirements rise during pregnancy, making prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) essential for preventing deficiencies and promoting healthier maternal and fetal outcomes, now recognized by WHO as essential.

Micronutrients are vital for healthy growth and pregnancy, yet many women in low- and middle-income countries face deficiencies. Daily requirements rise during pregnancy, making prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) essential for preventing deficiencies and promoting healthier maternal and fetal outcomes, now recognized by WHO as essential.

This study examines iron status, anemia prevalence and how these relate to birth outcomes in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in urban Bloemfontein, South Africa. Despite routine iron supplementation, anemia and iron deficiency remain common and are linked to poorer birth outcomes, underscoring the need to strengthen maternal nutritional care and monitoring during pregnancy.

This study examines iron status, anemia prevalence and how these relate to birth outcomes in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in urban Bloemfontein, South Africa. Despite routine iron supplementation, anemia and iron deficiency remain common and are linked to poorer birth outcomes, underscoring the need to strengthen maternal nutritional care and monitoring during pregnancy.

The First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study (2022) is a nationwide baseline survey across all provinces measuring the prevalence, patterns, and drivers of gender-based violence. It examines physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as perpetration, highlighting the role of gender norms and providing evidence to guide policy, prevention strategies, and monitoring of GBV interventions in South Africa

The First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study (2022) is a nationwide baseline survey across all provinces measuring the prevalence, patterns, and drivers of gender-based violence. It examines physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as perpetration, highlighting the role of gender norms and providing evidence to guide policy, prevention strategies, and monitoring of GBV interventions in South Africa

This framework outlines a multisectoral approach to accelerate global anaemia reduction, recognising anaemia’s complex causes beyond iron deficiency. It promotes comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and management strategies integrated into primary health care and broader social systems. The document calls for strengthened leadership, data use, cross-sector collaboration, and investment to improve outcomes, especially for women, adolescent girls and children in low- and middle-income countries

This framework outlines a multisectoral approach to accelerate global anaemia reduction, recognising anaemia’s complex causes beyond iron deficiency. It promotes comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and management strategies integrated into primary health care and broader social systems. The document calls for strengthened leadership, data use, cross-sector collaboration, and investment to improve outcomes, especially for women, adolescent girls and children in low- and middle-income countries

This official guideline sets out the desired standard of care for pregnant women and newborns in South Africa, offering evidence-based recommendations for antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. It supports clinicians to provide safe, respectful, integrated maternal and perinatal services adapted to local clinical settings.

This official guideline sets out the desired standard of care for pregnant women and newborns in South Africa, offering evidence-based recommendations for antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. It supports clinicians to provide safe, respectful, integrated maternal and perinatal services adapted to local clinical settings.

This is a UNICEF South Africa report using a pilot benchmarking tool to assess how well national policies support universal parenting. It reviews strengths and gaps in South Africa’s legislative, institutional and programmatic landscape, noting solid foundations but recommending stronger coordination, sustained funding, and integrated monitoring to scale parenting support.

This is a UNICEF South Africa report using a pilot benchmarking tool to assess how well national policies support universal parenting. It reviews strengths and gaps in South Africa’s legislative, institutional and programmatic landscape, noting solid foundations but recommending stronger coordination, sustained funding, and integrated monitoring to scale parenting support.

This UNICEF South Africa report provides a comprehensive overview of the living conditions of children and adolescents across key sectors like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. It highlights persistent vulnerabilities, deprivations and barriers faced by young people, including multidimensional poverty, health and education gaps, and unequal access to services, and serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to improve children’s rights and well‑being.

This UNICEF South Africa report provides a comprehensive overview of the living conditions of children and adolescents across key sectors like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. It highlights persistent vulnerabilities, deprivations and barriers faced by young people, including multidimensional poverty, health and education gaps, and unequal access to services, and serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to improve children’s rights and well‑being.

This is a policy brief showing that switching from iron and folic acid to multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy is highly cost‑effective in South Africa. It improves perinatal outcomes, including reduced low birthweight, preterm births, and stillbirths, while offering strong economic value and supporting evidence‑based policymaking.

This is a policy brief showing that switching from iron and folic acid to multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy is highly cost‑effective in South Africa. It improves perinatal outcomes, including reduced low birthweight, preterm births, and stillbirths, while offering strong economic value and supporting evidence‑based policymaking.

This article highlights the importance of adhering to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines in South Africa and promotes the Listening and Spoken Language–South Africa (LSL‑SA) approach for children with hearing impairment. It reviews evidence showing that LSL‑SA can lead to improved communication outcomes and faster progress compared with traditional therapy. The authors argue for culturally responsive, family‑centred early intervention and broader implementation to improve equitable access to services.

This article highlights the importance of adhering to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines in South Africa and promotes the Listening and Spoken Language–South Africa (LSL‑SA) approach for children with hearing impairment. It reviews evidence showing that LSL‑SA can lead to improved communication outcomes and faster progress compared with traditional therapy. The authors argue for culturally responsive, family‑centred early intervention and broader implementation to improve equitable access to services.

This is a UNICEF guidance document providing a framework for multi‑sectoral support to parents of children from pregnancy to age 8. It outlines strategies, entry points, and delivery platforms to strengthen parenting support across health, education, and social sectors, aiming to enhance child development and overall family well‑being in Europe and Central Asia.

This is a UNICEF guidance document providing a framework for multi‑sectoral support to parents of children from pregnancy to age 8. It outlines strategies, entry points, and delivery platforms to strengthen parenting support across health, education, and social sectors, aiming to enhance child development and overall family well‑being in Europe and Central Asia.

This study uses instrumental variable analysis with recent South African data to test whether the Child Support Grant (CSG) reduces childhood stunting. It finds that existing evidence on the grant’s positive effect on children’s height‑for‑age is robust to bias from unobserved factors. The authors emphasise continued evaluation of the CSG’s nutritional and long‑term development impacts.

This study uses instrumental variable analysis with recent South African data to test whether the Child Support Grant (CSG) reduces childhood stunting. It finds that existing evidence on the grant’s positive effect on children’s height‑for‑age is robust to bias from unobserved factors. The authors emphasise continued evaluation of the CSG’s nutritional and long‑term development impacts.

This resource answers common questions national decision‑makers have about introducing and scaling multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programmes for pregnant women. It explains practical considerations, evidence, policy issues and challenges countries face as they transition from iron‑folic acid to MMS in antenatal care. The FAQ aims to inform strategy, planning and advocacy to improve maternal nutrition outcomes.

This resource answers common questions national decision‑makers have about introducing and scaling multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programmes for pregnant women. It explains practical considerations, evidence, policy issues and challenges countries face as they transition from iron‑folic acid to MMS in antenatal care. The FAQ aims to inform strategy, planning and advocacy to improve maternal nutrition outcomes.

This 2024 guidance explains how implementation science (IS) can help countries introduce and scale up antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programs. It complements a global MMS scale‑up framework by detailing why and how IS can inform policy, delivery, monitoring, and adaptation of MMS intervention across phases of introduction and expansion.

This 2024 guidance explains how implementation science (IS) can help countries introduce and scale up antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programs. It complements a global MMS scale‑up framework by detailing why and how IS can inform policy, delivery, monitoring, and adaptation of MMS intervention across phases of introduction and expansion.

This is an advocacy article explaining why multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) which improve maternal and newborn outcomes more than iron‑folic acid alone should be reintroduced into South Africa’s Essential Medicines List. It reviews evidence on birth outcomes and cost‑effectiveness, outlines programmatic and policy barriers, and offers strategic recommendations to support MMS policy adoption and integration into antenatal care.

This is an advocacy article explaining why multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) which improve maternal and newborn outcomes more than iron‑folic acid alone should be reintroduced into South Africa’s Essential Medicines List. It reviews evidence on birth outcomes and cost‑effectiveness, outlines programmatic and policy barriers, and offers strategic recommendations to support MMS policy adoption and integration into antenatal care.