World health day 2025: Why mothers and newborns are at the heart of this year's campaign

As the world marks World Health Day on 7 April, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has turned the focus to one of the most urgent and life-defining aspects of global healthcare: the health of mothers and newborns. With the 2025 theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” this year’s observance underscores the need for systemic investment in maternal care and neonatal health to reduce preventable deaths and ensure stronger, healthier communities.

Why maternal and newborn health matters

In a sobering assessment, the WHO states that “close to 300 000 women lose their life due to pregnancy or childbirth each year, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life and around 2 million more are stillborn. That's roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds.”

The organisation further warns that unless current trends improve, “4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030. 1 in 3 will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths.”

Some key messages that health authorities are promoting include:

• Regular check-ups during pregnancy are essential to detect complications early.
• Avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol supports healthier pregnancies.
• Mental well-being must not be overlooked; support should be available throughout and after pregnancy.
• Equal access to trained professionals and infrastructure must be prioritised across all communities.

A shift from 2024’s individual-focused theme

While last year’s theme, “My Health, My Right,” championed individual autonomy and the universal right to healthcare, 2025’s message calls on governments and global health systems to step up and safeguard lives from the very beginning. It advocates for structural interventions that will offer every mother and child a healthier start and brighter prospects.

Tracing the roots of world health day

World Health Day has been observed annually since 1950, following a proposal at the first-ever World Health Assembly in 1948. This date commemorates the establishment of the WHO and serves as a reminder of the organisation’s commitment to promoting global health, independent of political boundaries.

The assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland, also marked the adoption of the WHO’s constitution. Since then, 7 April has become a dedicated occasion to raise awareness on pressing health matters and rally support from policymakers, medical institutions and the public.

Beyond a one-day observance

For more than five decades, World Health Day has become a platform for launching long-term campaigns addressing wide-ranging health issues—from mental wellness and chronic diseases to the adverse effects of climate change on human health.

The 2025 edition reaffirms that progress in maternal and newborn health is not just a healthcare issue—it’s a societal priority. The message is clear: the future of global health begins with investing in the earliest stages of life.