By Samantha Munro

World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7th, the same day the World Health Organization (WHO) was established. It draws attention to a specific health topic that is of concern to people worldwide.

This year’s campaign theme is “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” which urges governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being.

This task is critical, as close to 300,000 women lose their lives 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.

While maternal and newborn deaths occur in all regions, the vast majority are in the poorest countries and those facing conflict and other crises. When healthcare facilities close, facilities are attacked, access routes denied, or supplies disrupted, pregnant women and babies – who need regular access to health services – face severe, often life-threatening risks.

Health systems must seek to evolve to manage the many health issues that impact maternal and newborn health, such as obstetric complications, mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and family planning.

Around the world, WHO is supporting essential maternal and newborn health programs including through:

• Intensive support to 55 countries through the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere initiative.
• Guidance relating to diverse aspects of maternal and newborn health through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
• Research to improve clinical care options for pregnant women and newborns, including during epidemics.
• Ensuring maternity and newborn care during humanitarian emergencies.
• Support for health workers providing essential care to pregnant women and babies.

The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​. To do this, the Red Cross relies on nurses and other health professionals to bring relief to disaster victims, work in military hospitals and collect lifesaving blood. If you’re a nurse, nursing student or other health professional, we need your help! Check out our website to learn about health related volunteer opportunities.