On World Health Day, maternal and newborn health is at the forefront of the global health agenda. Decades of progress in building vital maternal and newborn health systems are now under threat from recent global health funding shifts, leaving critical life-saving programs vulnerable precisely when they're needed most.
Poor maternal and newborn health has deadly consequences, yet proven interventions remain underfunded and underdelivered.
Standout Stats
300,000
women die due to pregnancy or childbirth complications
2 million
babies die in their first month of life
2 million
babies are stillborn
Despite uncertainty, Evidence Action is strengthening the delivery of two of the most impactful interventions that can save lives now.
Stopping congenital syphilis before it harms newborns
With syphilis rates on the rise, urgent action needs to be taken to address congenital syphilis, a condition that caused 150,000 early fetal deaths and stillbirths and 70,000 neonatal deaths in 2022. The solution is simple and inexpensive:
✅Replacing existing HIV testing at antenatal care clinics with HIV/syphilis dual tests
✅Treating any positive cases with a single dose of penicillin
Syphilis-Free Start enables effective implementation of these simple, low-cost changes. Amid funding volatility that threatens to dismantle integrated testing platforms, ensuring high-quality delivery is essential to interrupt the cycle of preventable newborn deaths.
Addressing maternal anemia for healthier pregnancies
Maternal anemia and micronutrient deficiencies increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and dangerous maternal complications. Every dollar invested in fighting anemia in women can yield $12 in economic returns. However, multiple micronutrient supplementation remains underutilized in the regions with the highest burden.
We are currently testing ways to improve the delivery of these vitamins across 90 Nigerian healthcare facilities to bridge this gap.
Keep reading for a quick catch up on all our recent updates:
Think Big
Updates on our programs, recent insights, and the latest on evidence and impact.
What will it take to close the prenatal vitamin gap?
Evidence Action’s new pilot looks to help prevent nutrient deficiencies including anemia and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies through access to prenatal vitamins.
7 global health solutions we're testing in 2025
Go inside our Accelerator to see the new interventions we are currently exploring as potential global health game-changers. From reading glasses to nutrient supplements we are excited about these promising solutions.
Act urgently
Updates on our programs, recent insights, and the latest on evidence and impact.
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