Beyond World Health Day: Keeping Maternal and Newborn Health a Priority in 2025
World Health Day 2025: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures
World Health Day, observed on April 7, 2025, turned the global spotlight toward maternal and newborn health, one of the most vital issues. This year’s spotlight is on a crucial issue: maternal and newborn health. Under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the campaign seeks to inspire action to eliminate preventable deaths among mothers and newborns while advocating for women’s long-term health and well-being worldwide.
Though the day has passed, the urgency behind it message remains. Strengthening healthcare systems and supporting women and families must continue to be a priority well beyond this one occasion.
Why Health Matters?
Good health is the foundation of a thriving society. It impacts every aspect of life—from education and employment to economic growth and social stability. People can contribute more effectively to their communities and achieve their full potential when they are healthy.
Moreover, health is interconnected with other global challenges, such as climate change, urbanisation, and pandemics. The COVID-19 crisis highlighted how vulnerable our health systems can be, underscoring the need for resilient healthcare infrastructure and global cooperation.
Why Is World Health Day Celebrated?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) was founded in 1945 during a conference in San Francisco. It operates under its constitution, governed by a dedicated body, and supported by a budget funded by member countries.
WHO officially came into existence on April 7, 1948. Hence, World Health Day has been celebrated on this date each year. Today, WHO is a global health leader with 194 member countries, working to:
- Set global health standards
- Monitor health trends and emergencies
- Provide technical assistance to countries
- Promote health policies and practices
Each year, WHO selects a theme for World Health Day to highlight pressing health issues, from mental health to universal health coverage. In 2025, the focus was on maternal and newborn health.
World Health Day Theme 2025
World Health Day 2025 carried the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” reflecting a global call to action for comprehensive health initiatives aimed at addressing pressing issues, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the well-being of mothers and newborns.
According to WHO, the campaign aimed to:
- Urge governments and health communities to intensify efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
- Prioritise women’s long-term health and well-being, including mental health, reproductive rights, and chronic disease prevention.
The theme also focused on health equity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, location, or socioeconomic status, has access to quality healthcare. It called for strengthening health systems worldwide, improving healthcare infrastructure, and eliminating barriers to essential health services.
A Year-Long Campaign for Maternal and Newborn Health
The World Health Day 2025 theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” spearheads a year-long initiative aimed at:
- Eliminating preventable deaths among mothers and newborns
- Advocating for accessible, high-quality healthcare for every woman and baby
- Emphasising the vital role of family planning and reproductive health
The WHO and its partners will share critical information to support healthy pregnancies, safe births, and better postnatal care, helping to ensure every woman and baby has the chance to survive and thrive.
The Urgent Need for Action
The statistics are staggering:
- Nearly 300,000 women die each year from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth.
- More than 2 million newborns lose their lives within the first month after birth.
- Around 2 million babies are stillborn every year.
That’s roughly one preventable death every 7 seconds. Despite global efforts, 4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030, and 1 in 3 countries will fail to meet goals for reducing newborn deaths.
Listening to Women and Supporting Families
The key to turning these numbers around lies in quality care that supports women and families both physically and emotionally. This includes:
- Comprehensive prenatal care to monitor and manage health conditions
- Skilled care during childbirth to handle complications effectively
- Postnatal support to address both physical recovery and mental health
Health systems must evolve to address not just direct obstetric complications but also the broader issues that impact maternal and newborn health, such as:
- Mental health conditions
- Noncommunicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- Family planning and reproductive health services
How You Can Make a Difference
While global policies play a critical role, individual actions are equally important. Here are some simple ways to promote health in your community:
- Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and mental well-being practices can make a big difference.
- Support Health Initiatives: Volunteer, donate, or participate in health-related events.
- Advocate for Change: Raise awareness about health issues in your community and push for policies that support universal health coverage.
- Practice Preventive Care: Regular check-ups and vaccinations can prevent many diseases before they start.
Conclusion
World Health Day reminds us that health is a universal human right. It challenges us to reflect on our health and the health of our communities, encouraging collective efforts to create a healthier, more equitable world. As we move forward in 2025, the need to protect and support mothers, newborns, and families must stay at the forefront of health initiatives globally.
The spirit of “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” lives beyond a single day, inspiring each of us to work toward a future where health and well-being are realities for everyone, everywhere.
