Elsevier created a COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering free information in English and Mandarin. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and the company grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories for research reuse. The article discusses the global burden of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea, highlighting their status as leading infectious causes of childhood mortality. In 2010, there were 1.731 billion diarrhoea episodes (36 million severe) and 120 million pneumonia episodes (14 million severe) in children under five. In 2011, 700,000 diarrhoea and 1.3 million pneumonia episodes led to death. Most deaths occur in the first two years of life, with 72% for diarrhoea and 81% for pneumonia. Shared risk factors include undernutrition, poor breastfeeding, and zinc deficiency. Rotavirus causes 28% of severe diarrhoea, and Streptococcus pneumoniae causes 18.3% of severe pneumonia. Morbidity and mortality are declining, but more action is needed. The study reviews the epidemiology of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia, presenting data to inform integrated control programs. It includes updated mortality estimates for 2011 and discusses the role of vaccination in preventing severe cases. The global burden is highest in Southeast Asia and Africa, with nearly a third of severe diarrhoea cases preventable by vaccination. Nearly three-quarters of diarrhoea and pneumonia mortality is concentrated in 15 high-burden countries, but data from these countries are limited. Undernutrition is a key shared risk factor, and nutrition interventions should be prioritized. The article also discusses the impact of climate change on disease incidence, the role of vaccines in reducing mortality, and the importance of integrated management of childhood illnesses. It highlights the need for improved surveillance, community-based case management, and access to quality treatment to reduce child mortality from these diseases. The study underscores the importance of addressing shared risk factors and improving vaccination coverage to reduce the global burden of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea.Elsevier created a COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering free information in English and Mandarin. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and the company grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories for research reuse. The article discusses the global burden of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea, highlighting their status as leading infectious causes of childhood mortality. In 2010, there were 1.731 billion diarrhoea episodes (36 million severe) and 120 million pneumonia episodes (14 million severe) in children under five. In 2011, 700,000 diarrhoea and 1.3 million pneumonia episodes led to death. Most deaths occur in the first two years of life, with 72% for diarrhoea and 81% for pneumonia. Shared risk factors include undernutrition, poor breastfeeding, and zinc deficiency. Rotavirus causes 28% of severe diarrhoea, and Streptococcus pneumoniae causes 18.3% of severe pneumonia. Morbidity and mortality are declining, but more action is needed. The study reviews the epidemiology of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia, presenting data to inform integrated control programs. It includes updated mortality estimates for 2011 and discusses the role of vaccination in preventing severe cases. The global burden is highest in Southeast Asia and Africa, with nearly a third of severe diarrhoea cases preventable by vaccination. Nearly three-quarters of diarrhoea and pneumonia mortality is concentrated in 15 high-burden countries, but data from these countries are limited. Undernutrition is a key shared risk factor, and nutrition interventions should be prioritized. The article also discusses the impact of climate change on disease incidence, the role of vaccines in reducing mortality, and the importance of integrated management of childhood illnesses. It highlights the need for improved surveillance, community-based case management, and access to quality treatment to reduce child mortality from these diseases. The study underscores the importance of addressing shared risk factors and improving vaccination coverage to reduce the global burden of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea.