Facts for Life saves lives!

Every year, nearly 11 million children die from preventable causes before reaching their fifth birthday. Millions more survive only to face diminished futures, unable to develop to their full potential.

Many of these deaths can be avoided if parents and caregivers understand what to do when illness strikes and how to recognize the danger signs that signal the need for medical help. Facts for Life presents, in simple language, the most authoritative information about practical, effective and low-cost ways to protect children's lives and health. Everyone has the right to know this information.

Since it was first published in 1989, Facts for Life has become one of the world's most popular books, with more than 15 million copies in use in 215 languages in 200 countries. The book is co-published by UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, WFP and the World Bank.

This revised edition of Facts for Life has updated information on the major causes of childhood illnesses and death, including HIV/AIDS, Emergencies and Accidents. You can access the complete Facts for Life content on this website, as well as the PDF and text-only versions.

We urge everyone to share and use these health messages to help save children's lives.