What we are reading...

This is a systematic review summarising South African studies (1997–2021) on anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in women of reproductive age and children under five. It found anaemia common (22–44% in women; up to 61% in young children), with variable ID and IDA levels, highlighting moderate public‑health concern and need to strengthen iron‑related interventions.

This is a systematic review summarising South African studies (1997–2021) on anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in women of reproductive age and children under five. It found anaemia common (22–44% in women; up to 61% in young children), with variable ID and IDA levels, highlighting moderate public‑health concern and need to strengthen iron‑related interventions.

This is a visual summary shows anaemia affects nearly two billion people worldwide, especially women and young children, remains widespread despite some declines, and contributes tens of millions of years lived with disability, highlighting persistent age, sex, and regional disparities.

This is a visual summary shows anaemia affects nearly two billion people worldwide, especially women and young children, remains widespread despite some declines, and contributes tens of millions of years lived with disability, highlighting persistent age, sex, and regional disparities.

This report documents evidence‑based parenting and caregiver support programmes across Africa presented at the 2022 African Regional Convening of the Global Initiative to Support Parents. It includes thematic analysis, lessons learned, summaries of 28 initiatives, and recommendations for policy and practice. The resource aims to inform policymakers and practitioners on effective parenting support strategies and scale implementation continent‑wide

This report documents evidence‑based parenting and caregiver support programmes across Africa presented at the 2022 African Regional Convening of the Global Initiative to Support Parents. It includes thematic analysis, lessons learned, summaries of 28 initiatives, and recommendations for policy and practice. The resource aims to inform policymakers and practitioners on effective parenting support strategies and scale implementation continent‑wide

The Right to Foods activity book explains the human right to adequate, nutritious food in a child‑friendly way, showing how food choices, affordability and access affect diets. It uses fun activities and stories to teach young people about global food systems, challenges like hunger and malnutrition, and how everyone can help build fair, healthy, sustainable food systems where no one is left behind.

The Right to Foods activity book explains the human right to adequate, nutritious food in a child‑friendly way, showing how food choices, affordability and access affect diets. It uses fun activities and stories to teach young people about global food systems, challenges like hunger and malnutrition, and how everyone can help build fair, healthy, sustainable food systems where no one is left behind.

This Activity Book is aimed at a wide age range of young people interested in learning more about the right to foods for a better life and a better future. Although the general target age is 8-12 years, it could also be used to teach both younger and older students.

This Activity Book is aimed at a wide age range of young people interested in learning more about the right to foods for a better life and a better future. Although the general target age is 8-12 years, it could also be used to teach both younger and older students.

This paper presents the 2024 updated global expert consensus on a product specification for the UNIMMAP multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) used in pregnancy. It provides unified, open‑access guidance for manufacturers and purchasers on the formulation, quality standards, regulatory considerations, stability testing, packaging, and labeling required to produce a high‑quality MMS product that meets international norms and supports maternal nutrition programmes.

This paper presents the 2024 updated global expert consensus on a product specification for the UNIMMAP multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) used in pregnancy. It provides unified, open‑access guidance for manufacturers and purchasers on the formulation, quality standards, regulatory considerations, stability testing, packaging, and labeling required to produce a high‑quality MMS product that meets international norms and supports maternal nutrition programmes.

This annual flagship report from the Children’s Institute focuses on early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa, tracking progress against the National Integrated ECD Policy and highlighting critical gaps in health, nutrition, learning access and social support. It presents data showing ongoing high child poverty, stunting and low developmental outcomes, and recommends strengthened investment and coordinated services to ensure young children thrive.

This annual flagship report from the Children’s Institute focuses on early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa, tracking progress against the National Integrated ECD Policy and highlighting critical gaps in health, nutrition, learning access and social support. It presents data showing ongoing high child poverty, stunting and low developmental outcomes, and recommends strengthened investment and coordinated services to ensure young children thrive.

The South African Child Gauge 2024 focuses on early childhood development from conception to school start, analysing progress, challenges and evidence to guide policy and practice. It highlights the science of ECD, gaps in services like immunisation and early learning access, and calls for strengthened systems, financing, leadership and data to ensure young children thrive and contribute to national development.

The South African Child Gauge 2024 focuses on early childhood development from conception to school start, analysing progress, challenges and evidence to guide policy and practice. It highlights the science of ECD, gaps in services like immunisation and early learning access, and calls for strengthened systems, financing, leadership and data to ensure young children thrive and contribute to national development.

This is a working paper outlining international evidence on child stunting to guide policy in South Africa. It highlights causes such as inadequate diets, infections and poor stimulation, and recommends evidence‑based actions like complementary feeding education, nutrient supplements for young children, improved food environments, supportive policies, and better data to reduce high national stunting rates.

This is a working paper outlining international evidence on child stunting to guide policy in South Africa. It highlights causes such as inadequate diets, infections and poor stimulation, and recommends evidence‑based actions like complementary feeding education, nutrient supplements for young children, improved food environments, supportive policies, and better data to reduce high national stunting rates.

This is a technical guidance handbook designed to help countries plan and set up evidence‑based hearing screening programmes across the life course. It builds on the World Report on Hearing by advising public health planners and ministries on how to screen newborns and infants, school‑age children, and older adults, including who to screen, tools and protocols to use, follow‑up pathways and integration with health systems to enable early identification and intervention for hearing loss and ear diseases.

This is a technical guidance handbook designed to help countries plan and set up evidence‑based hearing screening programmes across the life course. It builds on the World Report on Hearing by advising public health planners and ministries on how to screen newborns and infants, school‑age children, and older adults, including who to screen, tools and protocols to use, follow‑up pathways and integration with health systems to enable early identification and intervention for hearing loss and ear diseases.

This report highlights global hearing loss as a major public health issue, urges integration of people‑centred ear and hearing care into health systems, and promotes cost‑effective interventions to prevent and address hearing loss across the lifespan.

This report highlights global hearing loss as a major public health issue, urges integration of people‑centred ear and hearing care into health systems, and promotes cost‑effective interventions to prevent and address hearing loss across the lifespan.

This policy brief outlines the integrated, people‑centred approach to ear and hearing care across the life course. It emphasises prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and inclusion within health systems, advocating for coordinated services that are accessible, affordable and equitable. The brief highlights the need to strengthen policies, data, workforce and resources to address hearing loss globally.

This policy brief outlines the integrated, people‑centred approach to ear and hearing care across the life course. It emphasises prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and inclusion within health systems, advocating for coordinated services that are accessible, affordable and equitable. The brief highlights the need to strengthen policies, data, workforce and resources to address hearing loss globally.

This book examines the system‑level and contextual barriers to preventive ear and hearing care in Africa, including challenges in early hearing detection and intervention programmes, workforce limitations, data systems, cultural factors, infrastructure and policy gaps. It highlights how health system constraints and sociocultural diversity affect preventive audiology delivery and offers evidence‑based recommendations for sustainable improvement.

This book examines the system‑level and contextual barriers to preventive ear and hearing care in Africa, including challenges in early hearing detection and intervention programmes, workforce limitations, data systems, cultural factors, infrastructure and policy gaps. It highlights how health system constraints and sociocultural diversity affect preventive audiology delivery and offers evidence‑based recommendations for sustainable improvement.

This study by UNICEF in South Africa assessed parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the role of play in early learning. It found that while most caregivers recognise play’s developmental importance for language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills, many face barriers such as limited time, stress and lack of confidence. The findings informed programmes, including the #PowerOfPlay campaign, to strengthen play-based learning at home.

This study by UNICEF in South Africa assessed parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the role of play in early learning. It found that while most caregivers recognise play’s developmental importance for language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills, many face barriers such as limited time, stress and lack of confidence. The findings informed programmes, including the #PowerOfPlay campaign, to strengthen play-based learning at home.

This study by UNICEF in South Africa assessed parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the role of play in early learning. It found that while most caregivers recognise play’s developmental importance for language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills, many face barriers such as limited time, stress and lack of confidence. The findings informed programmes, including the #PowerOfPlay campaign, to strengthen play-based learning at home.

This study by UNICEF in South Africa assessed parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the role of play in early learning. It found that while most caregivers recognise play’s developmental importance for language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills, many face barriers such as limited time, stress and lack of confidence. The findings informed programmes, including the #PowerOfPlay campaign, to strengthen play-based learning at home.

This study by UNICEF in South Africa assessed parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the role of play in early learning. It found that while most caregivers recognise play’s developmental importance for language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills, many face barriers such as limited time, stress and lack of confidence. The findings informed programmes, including the #PowerOfPlay campaign, to strengthen play-based learning at home.

This study by UNICEF in South Africa assessed parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the role of play in early learning. It found that while most caregivers recognise play’s developmental importance for language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills, many face barriers such as limited time, stress and lack of confidence. The findings informed programmes, including the #PowerOfPlay campaign, to strengthen play-based learning at home.

This report compiles updated evidence, country case studies, and practical resources to support introduction and scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) for pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. It summarizes benefits of MMS compared with iron-folic acid, explores implementation barriers and enablers, and highlights policy and programmatic lessons to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.

This report compiles updated evidence, country case studies, and practical resources to support introduction and scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) for pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. It summarizes benefits of MMS compared with iron-folic acid, explores implementation barriers and enablers, and highlights policy and programmatic lessons to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.

This is a 2018 guideline setting standards for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI). It recommends screening, diagnosis and intervention timelines for infants, aiming for hearing screening by about six weeks, diagnosis by four months and intervention by eight months, to support timely identification of hearing impairment and promote optimal child communication and development. The guideline adapts international EHDI standards to South Africa’s health context and emphasises audiologists’ roles and systematic EHDI service delivery.

This is a 2018 guideline setting standards for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI). It recommends screening, diagnosis and intervention timelines for infants, aiming for hearing screening by about six weeks, diagnosis by four months and intervention by eight months, to support timely identification of hearing impairment and promote optimal child communication and development. The guideline adapts international EHDI standards to South Africa’s health context and emphasises audiologists’ roles and systematic EHDI service delivery.

This report tracks the wellbeing of South African children under six, showing that post‑COVID‑19 many are more likely to live in poverty, face food insecurity, malnutrition and higher mortality. It presents data on health, nutrition, caregiver support, social protection and early learning to guide policy and action to improve early childhood development.

This report tracks the wellbeing of South African children under six, showing that post‑COVID‑19 many are more likely to live in poverty, face food insecurity, malnutrition and higher mortality. It presents data on health, nutrition, caregiver support, social protection and early learning to guide policy and action to improve early childhood development.

This book explores early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) in African contexts. It reviews identification, diagnosis, and intervention for childhood hearing impairment, highlights unique challenges in low- and middle-income settings, and offers culturally responsive, evidence-based practices, policy insights, and case studies aimed at improving outcomes for children with hearing loss across the continent.

This book explores early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) in African contexts. It reviews identification, diagnosis, and intervention for childhood hearing impairment, highlights unique challenges in low- and middle-income settings, and offers culturally responsive, evidence-based practices, policy insights, and case studies aimed at improving outcomes for children with hearing loss across the continent.

This scoping review maps existing evidence on combined hearing and vision screening programmes globally. It describes study characteristics, methods and outcomes from 19 studies, noting most originate from high‑income settings. The review outlines potential benefits like early detection and shared resources as well as challenges including follow‑up and implementation issues. It highlights a need for more research, especially in low‑ and middle‑income countries, and standardized reporting guidelines for integrated sensory screening.

This scoping review maps existing evidence on combined hearing and vision screening programmes globally. It describes study characteristics, methods and outcomes from 19 studies, noting most originate from high‑income settings. The review outlines potential benefits like early detection and shared resources as well as challenges including follow‑up and implementation issues. It highlights a need for more research, especially in low‑ and middle‑income countries, and standardized reporting guidelines for integrated sensory screening.

This report is a 2024 advisory by South Africa’s National Planning Commission ECD Advisory Report. It argues that better coordination across government departments and spheres is essential to build an integrated early childhood development (ECD) strategy that can inform the 2024‑29 Medium‑Term National Development Plan. The advisory highlights current coordination gaps and calls for urgent action to ensure children benefit from equitable, quality ECD services and stronger state capacity.

This report is a 2024 advisory by South Africa’s National Planning Commission ECD Advisory Report. It argues that better coordination across government departments and spheres is essential to build an integrated early childhood development (ECD) strategy that can inform the 2024‑29 Medium‑Term National Development Plan. The advisory highlights current coordination gaps and calls for urgent action to ensure children benefit from equitable, quality ECD services and stronger state capacity.

This report provides the first globally comparable data on children with disabilities, estimating nearly 240 million children (about 1 in 10) have disabilities. It shows they face greater disadvantages in health, nutrition, education, and protection than children without disabilities, highlighting widespread exclusion and calling for inclusive policies, better data, and equitable services to uphold their rights.

This report provides the first globally comparable data on children with disabilities, estimating nearly 240 million children (about 1 in 10) have disabilities. It shows they face greater disadvantages in health, nutrition, education, and protection than children without disabilities, highlighting widespread exclusion and calling for inclusive policies, better data, and equitable services to uphold their rights.

This is a guidance resource outlining indicators and tools to assess responsive caregiving and early learning practices in young children’s families and communities. It defines measurable behaviours (like play, communication and caregiver engagement), suggests data sources (surveys, observation tools), and helps programmes monitor and improve nurturing care for early childhood development.

This is a guidance resource outlining indicators and tools to assess responsive caregiving and early learning practices in young children’s families and communities. It defines measurable behaviours (like play, communication and caregiver engagement), suggests data sources (surveys, observation tools), and helps programmes monitor and improve nurturing care for early childhood development.

This is a set of 2025 country profiles developed under the Nurturing Care Framework by UNICEF in collaboration with Countdown to 2030: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health. The profiles compile key indicators and data on early childhood development across nearly 200 countries to support monitoring, planning and policy action on nurturing care, early learning, health, nutrition and child well‑being globally.

This is a set of 2025 country profiles developed under the Nurturing Care Framework by UNICEF in collaboration with Countdown to 2030: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health. The profiles compile key indicators and data on early childhood development across nearly 200 countries to support monitoring, planning and policy action on nurturing care, early learning, health, nutrition and child well‑being globally.

This guide for ECD Practitioners helps early childhood development and childcare workers understand and use South Africa’s Road to Health Book to support child health, growth monitoring, nutrition, immunisation, development, and caregiving in young children.

This guide for ECD Practitioners helps early childhood development and childcare workers understand and use South Africa’s Road to Health Book to support child health, growth monitoring, nutrition, immunisation, development, and caregiving in young children.

The Road to Health Book helps record a child’s growth, immunisations, and health interventions, and provides caregivers with practical health, nutrition, love, protection, healthcare, and extra‑care information to support their child’s development. It also encourages collaboration between caregivers and health workers and is available as a digital app (eRTHB).

The Road to Health Book helps record a child’s growth, immunisations, and health interventions, and provides caregivers with practical health, nutrition, love, protection, healthcare, and extra‑care information to support their child’s development. It also encourages collaboration between caregivers and health workers and is available as a digital app (eRTHB).