On April 7, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures," a year-long global campaign aimed at eliminating preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritizing women's long-term health and well-being. This initiative underscores the urgent need to address the persistently high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide.

Despite significant advancements in healthcare, maternal and newborn mortality rates remain alarmingly high. Annually, approximately 300,000 women die due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally, over 2 million newborns die within their first month of life, and around 2 million more are stillborn each year. These figures translate to roughly one preventable death every seven seconds. Alarmingly, 80% of countries are not on track to meet the 2030 targets for improving maternal survival, and one-third are projected to miss the targets for reducing newborn deaths.

The "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" campaign focuses on several critical areas to combat these challenges:

1. Increased Investment: Advocating for enhanced funding in maternal and newborn health services to ensure comprehensive care.

2. Access to Quality Care: Ensuring that all women have access to high-quality healthcare services throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

3. Strengthening Midwifery Services: Enhancing the training and support for midwives, who play a pivotal role in maternal and newborn health.

4. Mental Health Support: Addressing the mental health needs of women during and after pregnancy, recognizing the significant impact on overall well-being.

5. Protection from Violence: Implementing policies to safeguard mothers from violence, which can have detrimental effects on both maternal and newborn health.

The campaign also highlights the profound societal impact of maternal and newborn health. Investing in this area is not merely a healthcare issue but a catalyst for economic progress and the development of healthier, stronger societies. Improving maternal health is intrinsically linked to enhancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and futures.

In the Americas, the situation is particularly concerning. In June 2024, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa Jr., Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), issued an urgent call to action to reduce maternal mortality in the region. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean experienced one maternal death every hour, reversing two decades of progress in maternal health indicators.

Several factors contribute to the persistent high rates of maternal and newborn mortality:

• Healthcare Access: Inadequate access to quality healthcare services, especially in low-income and conflict-affected regions.

• Financial Constraints: Financial barriers prevent many women from seeking necessary care during pregnancy and childbirth.

• Healthcare Workforce: A shortage of trained midwives and obstetricians compromises the quality of care provided.

• Mental Health Services: Insufficient integration of mental health support into maternal healthcare services.

• Violence Against Women: Exposure to violence during pregnancy poses significant risks to both maternal and newborn health.

Complementing WHO's campaign, other organizations have launched initiatives to address these challenges. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) introduced the "Start with Her" strategy for 2025–2030, focusing on reproductive, maternal, and newborn health and well-being, aiming to reduce maternal deaths and improve health outcomes. UNICEF continues to work on reducing newborn and maternal deaths, emphasizing the need for quality healthcare and addressing disparities in access.

In the United States, maternal health has faced its own challenges. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a slight increase in the U.S. maternal mortality rate in 2024, reversing a two-year decline. The rate rose to 19 deaths per 100,000 live births, up from 18.6 the previous year. Significant racial disparities persist, with Black women experiencing maternal deaths at much higher rates than white women. Implicit bias in healthcare and systemic issues contribute to this disparity. In February 2025, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act, aiming to improve maternal health outcomes in the state, which has one of the highest rates of pregnancy and postpartum-related deaths.

The "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" campaign represents a critical step toward addressing the ongoing crisis in maternal and newborn health. By focusing on comprehensive care, investment, and policy reform, there is potential to significantly reduce preventable deaths and improve the quality of life for mothers and their children worldwide.