World Health Day 2025, observed on April 7, marks the launch of a vital year-long campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) focused on maternal and newborn health.
Themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the initiative emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the health of mothers and babies as the bedrock of resilient families and thriving communities.
With maternal and newborn health in crisis in many parts of the world, the campaign aims to ignite urgent action from governments, health systems, and communities.
Its ultimate goal is to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths and improve the long-term health and well-being of women globally.
The statistics are sobering. Every year, nearly 300,000 women die due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications, and more than 2 million newborns die within the first month of life.
Today is #WorldHealthDay!
The health of mums and babies affects every single one of us. Yet, millions lose their life each year due to causes that could be prevented with timely, high quality care. 🏥❤
Health is a right, not a privilege. Let’s work together and invest in… pic.twitter.com/pTyoKp1bTn
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 7, 2025
Additionally, around 2 million babies are stillborn. This means that every seven seconds, a woman or baby loses their life mainly due to preventable causes.
Current projections paint a grim picture. Four out of five countries are not on track to meet 2030 targets for reducing maternal mortality. Likewise, one in three nations is set to miss targets for cutting down newborn deaths.
The campaign advocates a broad approach to health- one that listens to women, supports families, and strengthens health systems.
The WHO emphasizes the need for comprehensive care that extends before, during, and after childbirth, addressing both physical and emotional well-being.
Key issues affecting maternal and newborn outcomes include not only direct obstetric complications, but also mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and access to family planning. Beyond healthcare services, supportive laws and rights-based policies are essential to creating environments where mothers and babies can thrive.
Tomorrow’s #WorldHealthDay is a cause for celebration, and a call to action.
More mothers and children are surviving today than ever before.
But still, every 7 seconds, a mother or baby dies a preventable death.
That is why @WHO, @UNICEF and @UNFPA launched the “Every Woman,… pic.twitter.com/IyY0rs7qqI
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 6, 2025
Campaign Objectives
The “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” campaign is built around four main goals:
- Raising awareness about survival gaps and long-term maternal health needs.
- Advocating investments that enhance care for women and newborns.
- Fostering collective action to support both families and frontline health workers.
- Providing reliable information on pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care.
The WHO also encourages global participation. Individuals can spread awareness using hashtags like #HopefulFutures and #HealthForAll, attend events, donate to the WHO Foundation, or share personal experiences to honor caregivers and inspire change.
As the campaign rolls out, WHO and its partners will disseminate practical resources to support healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries.
