World Health Day 2025: Prioritizing mothers and newborns

World Health Day 2025: A global call to safeguard maternal and newborn health

GENEVA: Every April 7, World Health Day highlights critical health issues worldwide. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm on a crisis that claims millions of lives annually—maternal and newborn mortality.

Under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” WHO’s campaign aims to drive transformative change over the next 12 months by focusing on women’s health before, during, and after childbirth.

Why this campaign matters

The alarming facts:

• 287,000 women die yearly due to pregnancy-related causes.
• 2.3 million babies die in their first month of life.
• 1.9 million babies are stillborn each year.
• 95% of maternal deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

These figures reflect a preventable crisis that demands urgent global action.

 WHO's 5 pillars for change

To address these challenges, WHO’s 2025 campaign focuses on five strategic goals:

✅ Preventable deaths
Universal access to safe, quality maternal and newborn care.

✅ Quality of care
Ensuring respectful, safe, and dignified childbirth experiences.

✅ Empowerment
Giving women and girls control over their health choices.

✅ Root causes
Tackling mental health, malnutrition, and chronic diseases.

✅ Equity
Prioritizing underserved and marginalized communities.

Midwives save lives

According to WHO:

• Up to 67% of maternal deaths
• 64% of newborn deaths
• 65% of stillbirths
  ...could be prevented through skilled midwife-led care.

Yet, there’s a global shortage of 900,000 midwives, leaving millions of women without vital support. Scaling up training and integration of midwifery services is essential.

Supporting global goals

This campaign aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3.1:

—Reduce maternal mortality to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Achieving this goal will require:

• Government commitment
• Healthcare investment
• Strong global partnerships
• Community-led innovation

How you can make a difference

You don’t have to be a doctor to help:

Raise awareness

• Share key facts with the hashtags
• #WorldHealthDay2025 #HealthyBeginnings

Advocate for change

• Push for better maternal care policies in your country.

Support NGOs

• Donate or volunteer to help on-ground health initiatives.

Educate your community

• Highlight the importance of prenatal and postnatal care.

Final thought

"Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" is not just a slogan—it’s a life-saving mission.
Let World Health Day 2025 be a turning point where we unite for the health of mothers and babies—because every life deserves a safe and dignified start.

Share this article with the hashtag #HealthyBeginnings and be a part the campaign to raise awareness.