April 7, 2025 — World Health Day will mark the launch of a year-long campaign dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health. The campaign, titled Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, calls for urgent action to end preventable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth, while prioritizing the long-term health and well-being of women.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are committed to providing essential information and resources to support healthier pregnancies, safer births, and improved postnatal care.
A Critical Challenge
The need for focused efforts in maternal and newborn health is stark. According to current estimates, nearly 300,000 women die each year due to pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, while more than 2 million babies die within their first month. Additionally, another 2 million are stillborn. This amounts to a preventable death occurring every seven seconds.
Despite progress, many countries are struggling to meet targets for improving maternal health by 2030. Current trends show that four out of five countries are falling short of maternal survival goals, and one in three will not achieve the target to reduce newborn deaths.
The Importance of Comprehensive Care
The health and well-being of women and their families depend on access to high-quality care before, during, and after childbirth. This includes addressing not only obstetric complications but also mental health conditions, non-communicable diseases, and family planning. Comprehensive healthcare systems must evolve to support the diverse needs of mothers and newborns.
In addition to healthcare, robust laws and policies are crucial to safeguarding women’s rights and ensuring access to essential services.
Campaign Goals and Call to Action
The Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures campaign seeks to:
- Raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn health and the need for increased focus on women’s long-term well-being.
- Advocate for effective investments that improve the health of women and babies worldwide.
- Encourage collective action from governments, healthcare professionals, and communities to provide critical care to parents and support health professionals.
- Share valuable information to promote healthy pregnancies, childbirth, and postnatal health.
As the world comes together to observe World Health Day, the call for greater commitment to maternal and newborn health has never been more urgent. Only through concerted efforts can we ensure a healthier, more hopeful future for generations to come.
Related topics
