What we are reading...

This implementation brief provides evidence-based strategies to prevent, treat, and reduce harms from substance use among young people in East and Southern Africa. It promotes youth-friendly, integrated, and community-based interventions, emphasizing prevention, early identification, harm reduction, mental health support, and multisectoral collaboration to strengthen adolescent health and wellbeing outcomes.

This implementation brief provides evidence-based strategies to prevent, treat, and reduce harms from substance use among young people in East and Southern Africa. It promotes youth-friendly, integrated, and community-based interventions, emphasizing prevention, early identification, harm reduction, mental health support, and multisectoral collaboration to strengthen adolescent health and wellbeing outcomes.

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effects of screen time and digital media exposure during the first 1,001 days of life. It concludes that regular screen use in children under two is linked to developmental, sleep, health, and social risks, recommending minimal intentional exposure and stronger guidance for parents and policymakers.

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effects of screen time and digital media exposure during the first 1,001 days of life. It concludes that regular screen use in children under two is linked to developmental, sleep, health, and social risks, recommending minimal intentional exposure and stronger guidance for parents and policymakers.

DOI: 10.64628/AAJ.tashp7apk

DOI: 10.64628/AAJ.tashp7apk

This strategy outlines a coordinated approach to reducing HIV infections among South African youth through comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly health services, community engagement, and social support. It emphasizes meaningful youth participation, gender equality, and partnerships across sectors to address the social, structural, and behavioural factors driving HIV risk among young people.

This strategy outlines a coordinated approach to reducing HIV infections among South African youth through comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly health services, community engagement, and social support. It emphasizes meaningful youth participation, gender equality, and partnerships across sectors to address the social, structural, and behavioural factors driving HIV risk among young people.

This scoping review develops a conceptual framework explaining how women’s food environments influence food acquisition and dietary intake in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights the interaction between individual, household, community, economic, social, and food-system factors, providing a useful framework for understanding barriers and opportunities to improve women’s nutrition and dietary outcomes.

This scoping review develops a conceptual framework explaining how women’s food environments influence food acquisition and dietary intake in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights the interaction between individual, household, community, economic, social, and food-system factors, providing a useful framework for understanding barriers and opportunities to improve women’s nutrition and dietary outcomes.

This is a that toolkit explains how schools can implement meaningful, rights-based child participation by ensuring children are informed, included, heard, and able to influence decisions affecting them. It provides practical strategies, guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Lundy Model, to create inclusive, democratic school environments that respect every child's voice.

This is a that toolkit explains how schools can implement meaningful, rights-based child participation by ensuring children are informed, included, heard, and able to influence decisions affecting them. It provides practical strategies, guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Lundy Model, to create inclusive, democratic school environments that respect every child's voice.

This is a profile of South Africa's PrEPWatch country profile outlines the country's HIV prevention landscape, including approved PrEP options, national policies, implementation guidelines, and service delivery. It tracks PrEP uptake, highlights available access points and resources, and supports evidence-based planning to expand equitable HIV prevention services for populations at substantial risk.

This is a profile of South Africa's PrEPWatch country profile outlines the country's HIV prevention landscape, including approved PrEP options, national policies, implementation guidelines, and service delivery. It tracks PrEP uptake, highlights available access points and resources, and supports evidence-based planning to expand equitable HIV prevention services for populations at substantial risk.

This piece argues that many children struggle with resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills because they lack essential developmental experiences, particularly unstructured play, autonomy, and manageable risk. Rather than asking what is wrong with children, adults should ask what opportunities they have missed, then intentionally restore those experiences to support healthy development.

This piece argues that many children struggle with resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills because they lack essential developmental experiences, particularly unstructured play, autonomy, and manageable risk. Rather than asking what is wrong with children, adults should ask what opportunities they have missed, then intentionally restore those experiences to support healthy development.

In March 2026, SECTION27 released a report examining the state of orientation and mobility training in South African schools, highlighting its importance for learners with visual impairments, the barriers they face in accessing quality education, the state's legal obligations and the urgent reforms needed to ensure inclusive education.

In March 2026, SECTION27 released a report examining the state of orientation and mobility training in South African schools, highlighting its importance for learners with visual impairments, the barriers they face in accessing quality education, the state's legal obligations and the urgent reforms needed to ensure inclusive education.

This pilot, implemented by Waves for Change in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, used structured after-school sport programmes to strengthen youth wellbeing. Findings indicated improvements in emotional regulation, resilience, social connectedness, and mental health, demonstrating sport’s potential as an accessible youth development intervention.

This pilot, implemented by Waves for Change in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, used structured after-school sport programmes to strengthen youth wellbeing. Findings indicated improvements in emotional regulation, resilience, social connectedness, and mental health, demonstrating sport’s potential as an accessible youth development intervention.

This research provides critical insights into children's perceptions of what constitutes a “good” and “bad” father, revealing complex intersections between social expectations, economic realities, and the perceived and lived experiences of children in South Africa.

This research provides critical insights into children's perceptions of what constitutes a “good” and “bad” father, revealing complex intersections between social expectations, economic realities, and the perceived and lived experiences of children in South Africa.

This publication brief argues that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a cost-effective investment in maternal and newborn health. Compared with iron and folic acid alone, MMS reduces risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, stillbirth, and poor fetal growth while generating substantial social and economic returns.

This publication brief argues that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a cost-effective investment in maternal and newborn health. Compared with iron and folic acid alone, MMS reduces risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, stillbirth, and poor fetal growth while generating substantial social and economic returns.

This report argues that anaemia is a major but overlooked cause of maternal deaths, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Drawing on the WOMAN-2 study, it shows severe anaemia greatly increases risks of postpartum haemorrhage, stillbirth, and death, urging stronger prevention, screening, and treatment efforts.

This report argues that anaemia is a major but overlooked cause of maternal deaths, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Drawing on the WOMAN-2 study, it shows severe anaemia greatly increases risks of postpartum haemorrhage, stillbirth, and death, urging stronger prevention, screening, and treatment efforts.

This editorial introduces a special issue examining childhood stunting in South Africa, highlighting its causes, consequences, and evidence-based solutions. It calls for coordinated, multisectoral action, improved measurement and monitoring, scalable interventions, and stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to address chronic undernutrition and improve child development outcomes nationwide.

This editorial introduces a special issue examining childhood stunting in South Africa, highlighting its causes, consequences, and evidence-based solutions. It calls for coordinated, multisectoral action, improved measurement and monitoring, scalable interventions, and stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to address chronic undernutrition and improve child development outcomes nationwide.

This article reports new evidence that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a highly cost-effective investment in maternal and infant health. Compared with standard iron-folic acid supplements, MMS improves birth outcomes, reduces low birthweight and undernutrition, supports healthier infant growth, and delivers substantial economic returns—estimated at about $37 for every $1 invested.

This article reports new evidence that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a highly cost-effective investment in maternal and infant health. Compared with standard iron-folic acid supplements, MMS improves birth outcomes, reduces low birthweight and undernutrition, supports healthier infant growth, and delivers substantial economic returns—estimated at about $37 for every $1 invested.

This report found that global child mortality has declined substantially since 1990, yet progress is slowing. In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children under five died, mainly from preventable causes. Deaths remain concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, highlighting persistent inequalities and urgent investment needs.

This report found that global child mortality has declined substantially since 1990, yet progress is slowing. In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children under five died, mainly from preventable causes. Deaths remain concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, highlighting persistent inequalities and urgent investment needs.

This examines young children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development across participating countries. The report highlights the importance of supportive home environments, quality early childhood education, and equitable learning opportunities, showing how early experiences shape well-being, school readiness, and long-term life outcomes.

This examines young children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development across participating countries. The report highlights the importance of supportive home environments, quality early childhood education, and equitable learning opportunities, showing how early experiences shape well-being, school readiness, and long-term life outcomes.

This article argues that global aid cuts, debt, conflict and weakened health systems are endangering women, children and adolescents worldwide. President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Sánchez urge governments to prioritise maternal care, vaccinations, reproductive rights and frontline health workers, warning that failing vulnerable populations will deepen inequality, instability, preventable deaths and economic decline.

This article argues that global aid cuts, debt, conflict and weakened health systems are endangering women, children and adolescents worldwide. President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Sánchez urge governments to prioritise maternal care, vaccinations, reproductive rights and frontline health workers, warning that failing vulnerable populations will deepen inequality, instability, preventable deaths and economic decline.

One in four children in the world today suffers from stunting. What can countries with high stunting rates today learn from Japan’s experience of going from 70% to 5%? Japan's experience shows that transformation is possible, but it requires simultaneous action on disease, diet, and infrastructure sustained over a generation. Nonetheless, that seems like an investment worth making. The future of hundreds of millions of children depends on it.

One in four children in the world today suffers from stunting. What can countries with high stunting rates today learn from Japan’s experience of going from 70% to 5%? Japan's experience shows that transformation is possible, but it requires simultaneous action on disease, diet, and infrastructure sustained over a generation. Nonetheless, that seems like an investment worth making. The future of hundreds of millions of children depends on it.

This study computes comparable child stunting rates for 122 countries across the 20th century, extending our understanding of child stunting much deeper into the past. Countries that have eradicated stunting could provide further evidence on how to eradicate child stunting today.

This study computes comparable child stunting rates for 122 countries across the 20th century, extending our understanding of child stunting much deeper into the past. Countries that have eradicated stunting could provide further evidence on how to eradicate child stunting today.

This document summarises what the stunting special issue papers contained in Development Southern Africa contribute to our understanding of stunting and what can be done to address it. It highlights key research gaps — particularly the need for local evidence on the role of in utero alcohol exposure, maternal health, environmental health and gut health — to match important international findings.

This document summarises what the stunting special issue papers contained in Development Southern Africa contribute to our understanding of stunting and what can be done to address it. It highlights key research gaps — particularly the need for local evidence on the role of in utero alcohol exposure, maternal health, environmental health and gut health — to match important international findings.

The article discusses an AI-powered WhatsApp bot used in South African schools to identify possible hearing loss among learners. By enabling early screening through accessible mobile technology, the initiative aims to improve diagnosis and intervention, especially in underserved communities where hearing problems often go unnoticed, affecting education, communication, and long-term development.

The article discusses an AI-powered WhatsApp bot used in South African schools to identify possible hearing loss among learners. By enabling early screening through accessible mobile technology, the initiative aims to improve diagnosis and intervention, especially in underserved communities where hearing problems often go unnoticed, affecting education, communication, and long-term development.

This is a UNICEF study on violence against children in South Africa explains how children experience abuse and violence at home, school, in communities, workplaces, and the justice system. It highlights physical, sexual, emotional abuse, bullying, corporal punishment, neglect, and cyberbullying.

This is a UNICEF study on violence against children in South Africa explains how children experience abuse and violence at home, school, in communities, workplaces, and the justice system. It highlights physical, sexual, emotional abuse, bullying, corporal punishment, neglect, and cyberbullying.

This article reviews South Africa’s progress in implementing the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy. While gains were made in child health and services, inequalities remain for poor children, those under two, and children with disabilities. The authors call for better funding, coordination, and inclusive programmes to improve equitable early childhood development.

This article reviews South Africa’s progress in implementing the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy. While gains were made in child health and services, inequalities remain for poor children, those under two, and children with disabilities. The authors call for better funding, coordination, and inclusive programmes to improve equitable early childhood development.

This playbook outlines how digital innovation can strengthen support for parents and caregivers through accessible, inclusive, and evidence-based services. It emphasizes using technology to improve parenting support, child development, and family wellbeing. The framework encourages collaboration, ethical digital design, and equitable access to ensure vulnerable families benefit from transformative digital solutions globally.

This playbook outlines how digital innovation can strengthen support for parents and caregivers through accessible, inclusive, and evidence-based services. It emphasizes using technology to improve parenting support, child development, and family wellbeing. The framework encourages collaboration, ethical digital design, and equitable access to ensure vulnerable families benefit from transformative digital solutions globally.

This report summarises global research showing that digital devices are increasingly used to comfort babies and support parents during the first 1,001 critical days of life. Screen use among infants is widespread, sometimes used for sleep and soothing, despite guidance discouraging it under age two. While technology helps manage parenting stress, high early screen exposure is linked to potential developmental risks, highlighting the need for balanced, informed use and stronger support for families.

This report summarises global research showing that digital devices are increasingly used to comfort babies and support parents during the first 1,001 critical days of life. Screen use among infants is widespread, sometimes used for sleep and soothing, despite guidance discouraging it under age two. While technology helps manage parenting stress, high early screen exposure is linked to potential developmental risks, highlighting the need for balanced, informed use and stronger support for families.

This article highlights South Africa’s high rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and the absence of a coordinated national prevention programme. The authors argue that FASD has severe lifelong impacts on children, families, and society, and call for stronger government leadership, public health interventions, screening, education, and multisectoral collaboration to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure.

This article highlights South Africa’s high rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and the absence of a coordinated national prevention programme. The authors argue that FASD has severe lifelong impacts on children, families, and society, and call for stronger government leadership, public health interventions, screening, education, and multisectoral collaboration to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure.

The WHOeyes app (2023) is a free mobile tool developed by the World Health Organization to help people check their near and distance vision using a simple visual acuity test. It aims to identify possible vision impairment early, raise awareness of eye health, and encourage users to seek professional eye care while promoting preventive eye protection practices.

The WHOeyes app (2023) is a free mobile tool developed by the World Health Organization to help people check their near and distance vision using a simple visual acuity test. It aims to identify possible vision impairment early, raise awareness of eye health, and encourage users to seek professional eye care while promoting preventive eye protection practices.

This report argues that investing in early childhood development is one of the most effective ways to improve human capital and economic growth. The report outlines evidence-based interventions in health, nutrition, early learning, and caregiving, demonstrating how targeted investments generate substantial long-term social, educational, and economic returns.

This report argues that investing in early childhood development is one of the most effective ways to improve human capital and economic growth. The report outlines evidence-based interventions in health, nutrition, early learning, and caregiving, demonstrating how targeted investments generate substantial long-term social, educational, and economic returns.