World Health Day, observed on April 7, marks the beginning of a year-long campaign focused on maternal and newborn health. Entitled ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’, this initiative calls on governments and the health community to intensify efforts to prevent maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize the long-term health and well-being of women.
Statistics show that an estimated 300,000 women die each year due to pregnancy or childbirth, with over 2 million babies passing away within their first month of life and approximately 2 million more being stillborn. These alarming numbers equate to one preventable death every seven seconds.
Unfortunately, current trends indicate that four out of five countries are not on track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030 and one in three countries will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths.
The campaign advocates for strategic investments to enhance the health of women and babies, calls for collective action to support parents and healthcare professionals providing critical care, and aims to provide valuable health information related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
Published on March 23, 2025.
