A Strong Foundation for Future Generations: Maternal and Newborn Health
On April 7, 2025, World Health Day will launch a transformative year-long initiative focused on improving maternal and newborn health. Named Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, this campaign aims to motivate governments and healthcare organizations to intensify their efforts to eliminate preventable deaths among mothers and newborns, while also prioritizing the long-term health and well-being of women.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners will provide valuable resources to support healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and improved postnatal care.
Ensuring Survival and Thriving for Every Woman and Baby
The urgency of this mission cannot be overstated. Each year, approximately 300,000 women lose their lives due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, over two million infants do not survive their first month, with millions more stillborn. This heartbreaking statistic translates to one preventable death every seven seconds.
Current projections indicate that a staggering 80% of countries are unlikely to achieve the global objectives for enhancing maternal survival by the year 2030.
Empowering Women Through Quality Care
Women and families around the world deserve high-quality healthcare that supports their emotional and physical needs before, during, and after childbirth.
Healthcare systems must adapt to address a wide range of issues that affect maternal and newborn health. These encompass not only direct complications from childbirth but also mental health challenges, noncommunicable diseases, and family planning services.
Moreover, supportive laws and policies must be established to protect women’s health and rights.
Campaign Objectives
- Raise awareness about the gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the necessity of prioritizing women’s long-term health.
- Advocate for effective investments aimed at improving health for women and babies.
- Encourage collective action to support both parents and the healthcare professionals delivering essential services.
- Provide vital health information pertaining to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal experience.
How You Can Contribute
You can play a role in supporting this vital campaign:
- Spread the word: Use the hashtags #HopefulFutures and #HealthForAll to share information about this initiative.
- Participate in global events: Join us to discover what is needed to eradicate maternal and newborn mortality.
- Donate: Consider contributing to the WHO Foundation, which plays a key role in protecting the health of mothers and babies worldwide.
- Share your story: Reflect on your personal experiences or those of others regarding pregnancy and childbirth, and express gratitude to the caregivers who deliver high-quality support.
