World Health Day 2025: Prioritizing Maternal and Newborn Health
As World Health Day approaches on April 7, 2025, the global community unites under the theme “Healthy Mothers, Thriving Babies." This year’s focus underscores the critical importance of maternal and newborn health, emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure the well-being of women and their infants worldwide.
A Call to Action
The World Patients Alliance (WPA) stands in solidarity with the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners, recognizing the urgency of addressing the alarming statistics:
• Approximately 300,000 women lose their lives annually due to pregnancy and childbirth complications.
• Over 2 million newborns die within their first month of life each year.
These figures highlight systemic challenges, including inadequate healthcare access, socioeconomic disparities, and insufficient patient-centered care.
Campaign goals
• To raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the need to prioritize women’s longer-term well-being.
• To advocate for effective investments that improve the health of women and babies.
• To encourage collective action to support parents as well as health professionals who provide critical care.
• To provide useful health information relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
Empowering Patients and Families
From the patient’s perspective, the journey through pregnancy and childbirth should be met with comprehensive support, respect, and dignity. The WPA advocates for:
• Accessible Healthcare: Ensuring that all women have access to quality prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care, regardless of their geographic or economic status.
• Informed Decision-Making: Empowering women with the information they need to make educated choices about their health and the health of their babies.
• Mental Health Support: Recognizing the emotional challenges associated with motherhood and providing resources to support mental well-being.
• Community Engagement: Fostering support networks that include families, healthcare providers, and patient organizations to create a nurturing environment for mothers and infants.
WPA’s Commitment
In alignment with WHO’s campaign, the WPA is dedicated to:
• Advocacy: Championing policies that prioritize maternal and newborn health on national and global agendas.
• Education: Providing resources and training to patients and healthcare providers to improve care practices.
• Collaboration: Partnering with organizations, governments, and communities to implement sustainable solutions.
Join the Movement
We invite patients, families, healthcare professionals, and advocates to join us in this critical initiative:
• Share Your Story: Personal experiences can inspire change. Share your journey to raise awareness and foster understanding.
• Participate in Events: Engage in World Health Day activities, both locally and globally, to show your support.
• Advocate for Change: Use your voice to influence policies that improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Together, we can create a world where every mother and baby not only survives but thrives.
For more information on World Health Day 2025 and related initiatives, please visit the World Health Organization.