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Overview
Every year, World Health Day on 7th April highlights a critical issue for global health. In 2025, it will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health – an issue which underpins lifelong health, stronger communities, and our collective futures. Alongside advocating for actions that improve survival, WHO and partners will work with mums and healthcare professionals to share useful information about healthy pregnancies, births, and postnatal health.
Campaign Goals
- Raising awareness of gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the need to prioritize women’s longer-term well-being.
- Advocating for effective investments that improve the health of women and babies.
- Encouraging collective action to support parents and recognize health professionals who provide critical care.
- Providing useful health information relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
Key facts
- Each year, nearly 300,000 women die during pregnancy or childbirth, while over 2 million newborns die within their first month of life and another 2 million are stillborn.
- Roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds.
- Based on current trends, a staggering 4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030.
- One in three (1 in 3) will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths.
- Around the world, millions of lives are lost each year due to causes that could be prevented with timely, quality care.
- Approximately 218 million women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries have an unmet need for modern contraception.
- In low- and middle-income countries, every US$ 1 invested in maternal and newborn health is estimated to yield around US$ 9 to US$ 20 in return.
- Newborn deaths account for nearly 50% of deaths among children under the age of 5 globally, resulting in 2.4 million lives lost each year.
Key messages
WHO is calling for a worldwide reinvigoration of efforts to ensure access to high quality care for women and babies. Women everywhere need access to health providers who listen to their concerns and meet their needs, so that they can plan their lives and protect their health.
Messages for policy makers
Ending preventable deaths
- Achieving targets: Experience from around the world shows that progress is possible and that we can end preventable maternal and newborn deaths. These investments are not just about survival; they are about ensuring a brighter and hopeful future for women and their children.
- Investing in human capital: In low- and middle-income countries, every US$ 1 invested in maternal and newborn health is estimated to yield around US$ 9 to US$ 20 in return. Evidence shows that spending on maternal and newborn health is an investment in human capital, not a cost, leading to economic development and happier, healthier societies.
- No-one left behind: Given the high concentration of maternal and newborn deaths in humanitarian emergencies and fragile settings, ensuring impact and targeting interventions in these contexts will be critical for significantly reducing maternal and newborn deaths.
High-impact investments
- Antenatal checks: High quality antenatal services – including at least eight checks with a skilled health worker and early ultrasound – are essential for all women to support healthy pregnancies, reduce risks and detect possible complications. Up to 15% of pregnant women have been estimated to develop a potentially life-threatening complication during pregnancy or birth.
- Lifesaving care during and after birth: At least 70% of all maternal deaths are due to direct obstetric causes like haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia; most of these fatalities occur during labour and birth, along with more than 40% of stillbirths, or shortly after delivery. Access to quality care from skilled providers during and after childbirth is critical, including vital emergency services if dangerous complications occur.
- Address indirect causes: Infectious diseases and pre-existing health conditions like anaemias, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diabetes underpin nearly a quarter of maternal mortality. It is vital to improve care, prevention, and early detection of these health conditions that complicate pregnancies and increase risks for millions around the world.
- Immediate newborn care: Newborn deaths account for nearly 50% of deaths among children under the age of 5 globally, resulting in 2.4 million lives lost each year. All babies need essential care at birth and in their first month of life, including breastfeeding support, so they are protected from infections, can breathe normally, and are warm and well-nourished.
- Special attention to vulnerable babies: Complications relating to prematurity and low birth weight are the leading cause of death in newborns and children under five. Since small and sick babies require round-the-clock in-patient care, significant investment is needed in special newborn care units, quick referrals, and vital family support.
- Focus on midwives: Midwifery care models, where midwives provide ongoing support to pregnant women and babies after birth, have been shown to improve survival while reducing preterm births and unnecessary medical interventions. Investing in these models, and ensuring sufficient well-trained midwives, is a cost-effective strategy to improve maternal and newborn health.
- Access to family planning: Approximately 218 million women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries have an unmet need for modern contraception. Addressing this need can significantly reduce unintended pregnancies and related risks.
- Solutions for low-income contexts: Research is needed to identify cost-effective solutions that tackle the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths, particularly targeting healthcare settings in poorer countries and fragile contexts.
Beyond survival
- Compassionate and respectful care: Services must not only be safe and effective, they must also ensure women, newborns and caregivers are treated with dignity, empathy and respect. This includes compassionate care for those affected by stillbirth and miscarriage – requiring dedicated trainings for health workers and bereavement counselling for those in need.
- Postnatal support: Around a third of women suffer long-term health complications after childbirth, which can increase risks during future pregnancies, while up to 20% of new mothers have been estimated to experience postpartum depression or anxiety. An integrated approach to postnatal care connects physical health, mental health, and social support services in this critical period and beyond.
- Family-friendly policies: Family-friendly policies and laws are critical to ensure women have the right support to take care of their health and their babies, including paid maternity leave (at least 18 weeks, ideally 6 months or more), legal protections, and workplace support for breastfeeding.
- Empowering girls and woman: Girls’ access to education is associated with reduced likelihood of maternal death. Ensuring girls can stay in school and take decisions about their health and bodies is critical for improving their health.
Source of information: WHO (Read more: World Health Day 2025)
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