This theme issue deals with the topic of the relationship between health and learning as it applies to the care of the young child. It consists of three parts. The first part is a lengthy article, "Health Care: The Care Required To Survive and Thrive" (J. Evans), explains health and caring environments of young child in the given economic conditions worldwide and provides ways that early childhood programmers can strengthen all dimensions of child care, including health, nutrition, education and family support. The second part provides four case studies of programs in India, Bolivia, Thailand, and Malaysia that use various strategies for caring for young children and their families. The article in the third part, "Attention by International Organisations to Early Childhood Care and Development: An Analysis of United Nations World Reports, 1993" (R. Myers), examines the current activities of international organizations working in early childhood care and development and analyzes the latest World Reports issued by specialized agencies of the United Nations. This article notes that international organizations are beginning to recognize the importance of the integrated nature of children's development during the preschool years and its relationship to larger social and economic development questions. Activities of the Secretariat for the Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development, news from various family organizations in the network, and a list of publications and videos on related research and activities are included. (AP)