Maternal, newborn and child health

Many countries are not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goal targets for reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality by 2030. Nearly 95% of all maternal deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries in 2020. Rising conflict, climate change, and cost of living disproportionately affect women and children, with about 50% of maternal, newborn and under-five deaths occurring in humanitarian settings. In 2020, 1 in 10 babies were born preterm, a figure that has barely changed in the last decade. Of the 4.9 million under-five deaths in 2022, nearly half occurred during the first month of life, mostly from preventable causes.  

We have the evidence and tools to change the course of history on maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). Strong commitments of governments, stakeholders, communities and families can result in improved health. We know what works and we can be hopeful - the number of global child deaths reached a historic low in 2022, for instance. However, more must be done.  Actions to reduce preventable maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity, including stillbirths, need to be amplified by policies and investments that enhance integration and quality of care. These efforts must be based on a life course approach, grounded in universal health coverage and primary health care with a supported and trained health workforce and a gender-responsive health system.  

Pushing MNCH progress forward will depend on focusing where gaps are deepest targeting the most vulnerable populations, and where trends are rising, including humanitarian and climate-affected settings. In this regard, PMNCH is well positioned to guide the way forward on actions to advance MNCH equity and financing, through advocacy and accountability contributing to country-level implementation.