Child Health in the Pacific: State of the Region 2026

Children are at the heart of Pacific communities. Their health and wellbeing are fundamental to the strength, resilience and future of our region.

The Pacific Paediatric Association has released Child Health in the Pacific: State of the Region 2026, a regional report examining the health and wellbeing of children and young people across the Pacific.

Developed for child health advocacy, the report brings together available regional data, research and the experiences of Pacific paediatric clinicians to identify where progress is being made, where significant gaps remain, and where greater regional action and investment are needed.

Why this report matters

While progress has been made in some areas of child health, the Pacific continues to face significant and persistent challenges.

The report finds that:

• Progress in child health across the Pacific region continues to lag behind much of the world.

• Most child deaths are preventable through proven interventions.

• Infections, particularly pneumonia, and newborn conditions including prematurity and birth-related complications remain leading causes of death among children under five.

• Pacific communities continue to experience the combined challenges of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and childhood obesity.

• Access to healthcare, specialist services and timely treatment remains uneven, particularly for geographically isolated communities.

• Significant gaps remain in child development and disability data and services.

• Violence against children and women remains a serious regional concern and is substantially underreported.

• The availability, quality and consistency of child health data across the Pacific remains a major barrier to effective planning, advocacy and action.

A call for regional action

The Pacific Paediatric Association is calling on governments, regional bodies, development partners, health leaders and communities to strengthen action for Pacific children.

Five priority actions have been identified:

1. Elevate child health on national and regional agendas, including through Pacific regional governance platforms.

2. Increase investment in maternal, newborn and child health.

3. Require child health impact assessments across major policy areas including education, housing, environment, food systems and social protection.

4. Strengthen Pacific child health data systems and the ability to turn data into action.

5. Ensure universal access to essential child health services while supporting caregivers and addressing the wider social determinants of health.

Download the publications

Policy Brief

Strengthening Child Health in the Pacific: Urgent Priorities for Regional Action - [Download the Policy Brief]

A concise summary of the major findings and five priority actions for governments, regional organisations, development partners and other decision-makers.

Full Report

Child Health in the Pacific: State of the Region 2026 - [Download the Full Report]

Read the full regional report, including child mortality and morbidity, nutrition, vaccination, access to care, child development and disability, violence against children, frontline clinician perspectives, health-system priorities and Pacific child health research.

Stay connected with PPA

The State of the Region report is intended to stimulate discussion, advocacy and action for child health across the Pacific. If you would like to receive updates from the Pacific Paediatric Association about child health, research, advocacy, professional development and upcoming activities, please stay connected with us.

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Share the report

We encourage governments, health professionals, regional organisations, development partners, researchers, advocates and Pacific communities to read and share these resources.

Together, we can strengthen the systems, services and investment needed to ensure Pacific children have the opportunity not only to survive, but to thrive.

Pacific Paediatric Association
Advancing the health and wellbeing of children and young people across the Pacific.