World Health Day is observed every year on April 7th to commemorate the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. This day serves as an opportunity to highlight a specific global health issue, drawing attention to the need for improved health standards and better access to healthcare worldwide.
Each year, a particular theme is chosen to guide discussions and actions around critical health topics, encouraging governments, healthcare organizations, and individuals to collaborate in addressing global health challenges.
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World Health Day 2025 Theme: ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’ The theme for World Health Day 2025 will focus on maternal and newborn health, launching a year-long campaign aimed at reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns. The initiative encourages governments and the healthcare sector to intensify efforts to address these preventable losses and to ensure the long-term health and well-being of women.
Why Maternal and Newborn Health Matters WHO reports that nearly 300,000 women die every year due to pregnancy or childbirth complications, while over 2 million infants die within their first month of life, and around 2 million more are stillborn. This amounts to one preventable death every seven seconds. Alarmingly, current trends indicate that most countries are not on track to meet targets for improving maternal health by 2030, with one-third failing to achieve targets to reduce newborn mortality.
Maternal and newborn health is critical because it directly impacts families, communities, and societies as a whole. Improving the health of mothers and infants can drastically lower the rates of mortality, contributing to healthier generations. Key steps to improving maternal and newborn health include:
- Regular health check-ups during pregnancy for early detection and management of complications.
- Educating the public about the importance of proper nutrition, physical activity, and avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy.
- Recognizing and addressing mental health issues during and after pregnancy by seeking professional support when necessary.
- Ensuring access to healthcare professionals, facilities, and postnatal care for both mothers and newborns.
By focusing on these aspects, the campaign aims to enhance maternal and newborn health and prevent needless deaths, ensuring a healthier future for all.
