Why a global health partnership for maternal, newborn and child health?
Each year, more than half a million women die in pregnancy or childbirth, and almost 10 million children die before their fifth birthday, almost 40% in the first month of life. Recent research finds that at least two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented with proven, cost-effective interventions that could and should be available to every woman and child today. By expanding access to these interventions and integrating maternal, newborn and child health efforts, an estimated 6 million deaths of women and children could be prevented each year. Given the scope of this challenge, no individual country, organization, or agency can address it alone.
Each year, about 350,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth, and almost 9 million children die before their fifth birthday, almost 40% in the first month of life. Recent research finds that at least two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented with proven, cost-effective interventions that could and should be available to every woman and child today. By expanding access to these interventions and integrating maternal, newborn and child health efforts, an estimated 6 million deaths of women and children could be prevented each year. Given the scope of this challenge, no individual country, organization, or agency can address it alone.