TY - JOUR T1 - Disability in children: a global problem needing a well-coordinated global action JF - BMJ Paediatrics Open JO - BMJ Paediatrics Open DO - 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001397 VL - 6 IS - 1 SP - e001397 AU - Bolajoko O Olusanya AU - Ricardo Halpern AU - Vivian G Cheung AU - M K C Nair AU - Nem Yun Boo AU - Mijna Hadders-Algra A2 - , Y1 - 2022/02/01 UR - http://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/6/1/e001397.abstract N2 - In September 2015, 193 member states of the United Nations (UN) unanimously signed a social contract with their citizens to commit resources to realising a global agenda consisting of 17 development goals under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).1 Unlike the Millennium Development Goals, the SDG agenda makes explicit provisions for disability inclusiveness in policy interventions over the life course: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. The UN agencies like the WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Bank Group are usually tasked with providing global leadership in implementing the SDGs within their respective core mandate.The specific focus on early childhood development (ECD) for children under 5 years as one of the targets under the fourth SDG (SDG 4.2) is unprecedented and a clear recognition of the importance of the early years from birth as the foundation of optimal human capital development. SDG 4.2 is dedicated to the education sector, and it seeks to ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality ECD, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education. Ordinarily, matters relating to the well-being of children under 5 years are more associated with the health sector because of the well-established global efforts to reduce under-5 mortality and childhood malnutrition. However, the architects of this SDG recognised the crucial and unique role of the health sector in preparing children from birth to age 5 years for effective enrolment in primary education. The SDG specifically acknowledged the importance of health and psychosocial well-being in assessing child development in early childhood.Surprisingly, none of the targets and indicators for SDG 4, including ECD for children under 5 years, are listed among the health-related SDGs by the WHO or the global health community in general.2 As a result, a lacuna emerged that has been … ER -