April 7, 2025 — On World Health Day, a global initiative will kick off to address the pressing issue of maternal and newborn health. The year-long campaign, titled “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, aims to mobilize governments, healthcare professionals, and communities worldwide to accelerate efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, while also prioritizing women’s health and long-term well-being.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners will work together to promote critical information that supports healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and improved postnatal care.
The Crisis: A Call for Action
Every year, approximately 300,000 women lose their lives due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, over 2 million babies die in the first month of life, with another 2 million stillborn. These figures represent a shocking preventable death every 7 seconds.
Despite progress in certain regions, current global trends suggest that nearly 4 out of 5 countries are unlikely to meet the 2030 targets for improving maternal survival. Furthermore, 1 in 3 countries will miss the goal of reducing newborn deaths.
Listening to Women and Supporting Families
Ensuring the health of women and babies is essential, and providing high-quality care before, during, and after birth is a fundamental right. Health systems must adapt to meet the full spectrum of maternal and newborn health needs, which include not only direct obstetric care but also the management of mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and family planning.
Equally important are supportive policies and laws that guarantee the health and rights of women and families. These efforts can have a profound impact on maternal and newborn survival.
The Campaign’s Goals
The “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” campaign aims to:
Raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the urgent need to prioritize women’s health and well-being in the long term.
Advocate for investments that will improve maternal and newborn health outcomes globally.
Encourage collective action to support parents and health professionals who play a critical role in maternal and newborn care.
Provide essential health information to guide women through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
A Global Call for Collective Action
With millions of lives at stake, the campaign emphasizes the critical importance of improving maternal and newborn health worldwide. By ensuring every woman and baby has the opportunity to survive and thrive, we lay the foundation for healthier families and communities, and contribute to the future well-being of nations.
The WHO and its partners invite individuals and organizations around the world to join the campaign and contribute to this global movement for change.
For more information, visit the World Health Day 2025 campaign page to learn how you can get involved.
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