On April 7, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) marks World Health Day, launching a global awareness campaign focused on maternal and neonatal health. This year's initiative, titled 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures', aims to address a staggering statistic: approximately one preventable death occurs every seven seconds due to issues in maternal and neonatal care.
The campaign comes in response to alarming global figures. Each year, around 300,000 women die from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, and over 2 million babies either die in their first month of life or are stillborn. These numbers highlight the urgent need for improved health systems and care for mothers and newborns.
According to the WHO, four out of five countries are not on track to meet global targets for improving maternal survival by 2030. This concerning trend underscores the need for heightened efforts from governments and health organizations to prioritize women's health and well-being.
In Brazil, the situation reflects a similar crisis. In 2021, the country recorded 3,030 maternal deaths, a 74% increase from 1,739 deaths in 2014, according to data from the Integrated Health Surveillance Platform (IVIS). The rise in maternal mortality is a critical indicator of healthcare quality and access, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jarbas Barbosa Jr., the director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), made an urgent call to action in June 2024, emphasizing the need to reduce maternal mortality rates in the Americas. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a maternal death every hour, reversing two decades of progress in maternal health indicators.
The WHO's campaign seeks to fill the gaps in maternal and newborn survival by promoting effective investments in health systems and encouraging collective action among healthcare professionals and parents. "Everywhere, women deserve the support of healthcare professionals who listen to their concerns and meet their needs," stated the WHO. This support is especially crucial during the extended postpartum period, where millions still lack essential care.
The Brazilian Ministry of Health emphasizes that every woman has the right to care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. To ensure this, the ministry advocates for early prenatal care, ideally starting by the 12th week of pregnancy. Regular consultations are vital: monthly until the 28th week, bi-weekly until the 36th week, and weekly until delivery. Each visit should include assessments of concerns and risks, blood pressure monitoring, and fetal health checks.
In 2024, the Brazilian government restructured the Rede Cegonha, a public health network aimed at reducing maternal mortality by 25% by 2027. This new model is named after Alyne Pimentel, who tragically died in 2002 while pregnant due to inadequate care. Brazil is notable for being the first country to be condemned in an international court for a preventable maternal death, recognized as a violation of women's rights to safe motherhood.
The Rede Alyne initiative introduces a more integrated approach between maternity care and family health, ensuring that healthcare teams are adequately trained to support women effectively. This model aims to eliminate the challenges faced by expectant mothers, ensuring they receive timely care without unnecessary delays.
World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, coincides with the founding date of the WHO in 1948. Each year, this day spotlights a specific public health concern. In 2024, the theme was 'My Health, My Right', emphasizing the fundamental rights of individuals to access healthcare.
The WHO's ongoing campaign and Brazil's renewed focus on maternal health reflect a critical acknowledgment of the challenges that continue to affect women and newborns worldwide. As the campaign unfolds, it is hoped that awareness will translate into action, leading to significant improvements in maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
As the world observes World Health Day, the call to action is clear: governments and healthcare systems must prioritize the health and well-being of women and newborns. Only through collective efforts can we hope to end preventable maternal and neonatal deaths and ensure that every woman has the right to safe and dignified care during one of the most critical periods of her life.
