The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially announced the theme of World Health Day 2025, Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, which will focus on improving maternal and newborn health and survival.

World Health Day is marked around the world on 7th April, the anniversary of WHO's founding in 1948. Each year, it draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

"The focus of this campaign comes at a crucial moment, aiming to help countries regain lost progress while showcasing new research and evidence that will enhance the health of women and babies globally," said Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO. "It will also be an opportunity to step up support and collaboration for global health – and deliver hope to those in urgent need of lifesaving care."

Helping every woman and baby survive and thrive:

According to the most recent estimates, close to 300,000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy or childbirth each year; over 2 million babies die in their first month of life, and around 2 million more are stillborn. This is roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds – losses which bring tremendous sadness and heartache to millions of families around the world.

While maternal and newborn deaths occur in all regions, the vast majority are in the poorest countries and those facing conflict and other crises. When healthcare facilities close, are attacked, or supplies are disrupted, pregnant women and babies face severe, often life-threatening risks.

Based on current trends, 4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet the United Nations' global targets for improving maternal survival by 2030; 1 in 3 will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths. Current funding constraints could further jeopardise progress, as many programmes providing critical health services have stalled alongside important medical research.

This year's campaign, which will run until 2026, will urge governments, donors and the health community to invest in proven, high-impact interventions. These include pregnancy-related services to detect complications and lifesaving emergency obstetrics, as well as special care for small and preterm babies. Complications relating to prematurity are now the leading cause of death of children under 5 worldwide.

WHO will also highlight the evolving need for health systems to address the many underlying health issues that impact maternal and newborn health. These include not only direct obstetric complications but also mental health conditions, malnutrition, and an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases.

Listening to women and supporting families:

The campaign will urge increased global attention to women's longer-term health and well-being. This includes advocating for laws and policies that safeguard their health and rights, such as paid maternity leave, employment protections, and access to family planning services.

"It is not sufficient that women survive childbirth; they must also be able to enjoy their lives in good health," said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO.

Efforts are also needed to address the particular risks of climate change for pregnant women and newborns.

An investment, not a cost:

In low- and middle-income countries, every US$1 invested in maternal and newborn health is estimated to yield US$9 to 20 in return.

WHO is supporting maternal and newborn health programmes through:

• Intensive support to 55 countries through the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere      initiative;

• Guidance across pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period;

• Research to improve clinical care;

• Support during humanitarian emergencies;

• Strengthening the role of midwives.

Source: World Health Organisation