HEALTHY PEQUEÑOS

Healthy Pequeños is a program consisting of holistic and sustainable interventions to prevent pediatric infectious disease and help little ones grow up healthy.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Today, infectious diseases are among leading causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality around the world. The immature physical development of children increases their risk for short and long term effects of infectious diseases including dehydration, malnutrition, and organ damage. Infectious diseases are highly preventable with proper reduction of exposure to pathogens, comprehensive hygiene education and promotion, and effective infection surveillance by medical professionals. Using these three main infection prevention techniques, Healthy Pequeños is a program designed to aid global communities in reducing and preventing pediatric infectious diseases in order to give children the happy and healthy childhood they deserve.

To learn more about our first year, check out our pilot year report here

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PARTNERSHIPS

Healthy Pequeños would not be possible without the support of the University of Pennsylvania and partnership with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

2018 President's Engagment Prize Recipient

The President’s Engagement Prizes are competitively awarded annually to academically excellent and civically engaged Penn seniors to design and undertake fully-funded local, national, or global engagement projects during the first year after they graduate from Penn. This funding has made the dream of Healthy Pequeños into a reality.

More about the President's Engagement Prize

NUESTROS PEQUEÑOS HERMANOS

Program Partner

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), meaning Our Little Brothers and Sisters is a charitable organization that has provided homes and support for thousands of orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children since 1954. There are NPH homes throughout 9 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Healthy Pequeños was developed with the support and advice of NPH medical staff and is initiating the program at NPH's oldest home in Miacatlán, Mexico.

Learn more about NPH

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PROGRAM COMPONENTS

PART 1: PATHOGEN REDUCTION

Reduction of exposure to pathogens is key to reducing infections. Lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a primary cause of infectious disease in developing countries. Therefore, part one of Healthy Pequeños consists of reducing children's exposure to pathogens through the provision of clean water and reparation of sanitation infrastructure.

PART 2: INFECTION PREVENTION EDUCATION AND PROMOTION

While reducing exposure to pathogens is important, education about and promotion of infection prevention behaviors is also necessary to reducing and preventing infections. Through the provision of health education for children, their caregivers, and staff working in the community and promotion of effective hygiene behaviors, Healthy Pequeños works to create a healthy community environment that prevents illness among its young inhabitants.

PART 3: INFECTION SURVEILLANCE

In order to best intervene to prevent infections and avoid outbreaks, it is important to monitor infections in the community and the conditions surrounding them. The final component of the Healthy Pequeños Program provides training for community clinic staff regarding infection surveillance and how to respond to the collected data to reduce and prevent infections.

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