ABSTRACT
The health of children in the Third World – or, at least, young children’s susceptibility to disease and malnutrition – has been a dominant concern of the development community for many years. Recently, in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, increasing attention has been paid to the health of teenagers. The health of a country’s children is considered both a goal and an indicator of development. Health is important in relation to young people’s immediate well-being: illness diminishes quality of life and poses a risk to life itself. Health also impacts on other aspects of life: young people whose health is poor are less likely to attend school or to enjoy leisure pursuits. Furthermore, ill health in childhood and youth can have impacts that last throughout life.
