MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- A U.S.-based charity says inexpensive medical care for such easily treatable diseases as pneumonia and diarrhea could save the lives of millions of children worldwide every year, particularly in poor undeveloped countries.

The report by Save the Children, headquartered in Westport, Conn., said more than 200 million children under the age of 5 lack basic health care.

And each year, nearly 10 million die -- most of them needlessly.

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Nashville surgeon, visited Memphis Tuesday as a member of Save the Children's board of directors.

He said 27,000 children die every day -- yet two-thirds of the deaths are preventable.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)