World Health Day is marked around the world on April 7th which is the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) founding, 77 years ago in 1948. Each year, it draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. This year the theme of World Health Day is Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, focused on improving maternal and newborn health and survival.
The focus of this year’s campaign aims to help countries showcase new research and evidence that will enhance the health of women and babies globally to help every woman and every baby survive and thrive.
According to the most recent estimates, close to 300,000 women lose their life due to pregnancy or childbirth each year; over 2 million babies die in their first month of life, and around 2 million more are stillborn. This is roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds – losses which bring tremendous sadness and heartache to millions of families around the world.
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 health care 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.
This year’s campaign, which will run until 2026, will urge governments, donors and the health community to invest in proven, high-impact interventions, as part of efforts to improve overall quality of care. These include pregnancy related services to detect complications and lifesaving emergency obstetrics – noting that the vast majority of maternal and newborn deaths happen during or shortly after birth – as well as special care for small and preterm babies. Complications relating to prematurity are now the leading cause of death of children under-5 worldwide.
This year highlights the evolving need for health systems to address many underlying health issues that impact maternal and newborn health including direct obstetric complications, mental health conditions, malnutrition, and an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases.
The Republican Caucus and the Illinois House are fortunate to have the expertise and knowledge of three healthcare professionals to help understand medical issues that come up for consideration. Dr. Paul Jacobs, State Representative for the 118th District, has practiced for 45 years as an Optometrist, Dr. William E. Hauter, State Representative for the 87th District, is a physician specializing in emergency medicine and pediatric and adult cardiac anesthesiology and Dr. Kevin Schmidt, State Representative for the 114th District has been a chiropractor for 16 years. In addition to their fight to protect unborn children from abortions, they support the good work of pregnancy care centers around the state to help women and children in need or crisis.