Acknowledging World Health Day
Health is the heartbeat of every society, yet so many people do not have access to the care they need, even during the earliest, and most sensitive periods of life. World Health Day is globally observed every year on April 7th to recognize health as a fundamental human right and raise more awareness to specific healthcare topics of concern that affect people across the globe. The theme for this year according to the World Health Organization(WHO) is Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures. This year we will be shedding light on the need to prioritize and improve maternal and newborn health so that more women and infants can survive and thrive.
Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures
In order to sustain our families and communities, we need healthier mothers and babies. However, according to WHO, Nearly 300,000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy and childbirth each year, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life. A majority of these fatalities occur during or shortly after birth in countries and regions around the world that are facing low income, conflicts, and crises.
According to Wise Voter, The United States has seen an increase in maternal mortality rates since 1990 and it currently has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world with Arkansas ranking at #1 among all 50 states and Texas ranking at #15 in 2023.
Also, a recent study from the Lancet Global Health, revealed that more than one-third of women (at least 40 million) experience lasting health problems after childbirth. These health issues may stem from a range of psychological, emotional, and physical challenges that have long-term effects on their well-being and require access to more comprehensive healthcare, beyond 6 weeks of postpartum. However, they have been largely neglected.
How Can You Show Support?
Babies and families need your help. Here are 4 ways that you can show support for Healthy Beginnings and Hopeful Futures.
1. Spread Awareness for the cause by sparking conversations on social media using the hashtags #HopefulFutures and #HealthForAll. You can share your personal experiences or encourage others to share with your audience. You can also spread more information on infant and maternal health and the need for more comprehensive and long-term postpartum care.
2. Show Appreciation for the people and organizations that have dedicated their careers to helping women and infants receive quality care. These are our local heroes. It could be a healthcare provider or a non-profit that is making a difference.
3. Advocate for change by pushing for policies and investments that will improve the health and well-being of women and babies.
4. Donate Generously to the World Health Organization to support their efforts to protect mothers and babies around the globe by clicking here.
Final thoughts
The truth is that by investing in health, we are investing in a brighter and more equitable future for all. This World Health Day, let us stand together by spreading awareness, showing appreciation, advocating for change, and donating generously to support life-saving initiatives.
To learn more, click here to visit the official campaign page from the World Health Organization. We hope you found this article insightful, please don’t forget to share. You may also be interested in a previous article on Measles in infants and protecting your baby.
Sources
Neglected medium-term and long-term consequences of labour and childbirth: a systematic analysis of the burden, recommended practices, and a way forward
Vogel, Joshua P et al. The Lancet Global Health, Volume 12, Issue 2, e317 – e330
