World Health Day 2025 commemorated today

WHO and partners will also share useful information to support healthy pregnancies and births, and better postnatal health.

 This task is critical. Tragically, based on currently published estimates, close to 300 000 women lose their life due to pregnancy or childbirth each year, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life and around 2 million more are stillborn. That’s 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. 1 in 3 will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths.

Women and families everywhere need high quality care that supports them physically and emotionally, before, during and after birth.

Health systems must evolve to manage the many health issues that impact maternal and newborn health. These not only include direct obstetric complications but also mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases and family planning.

Additionally, women and families should be supported by laws and policies that safeguard their health and rights.

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.