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World Health Day 2005 to Focus on Healthy Mothers, Children

Washington, D.C., February 1, 2005 (PAHO)—World Health Day 2005 will focus on health mothers and children as part of an effort to reduce the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes and the number of young children who die.

Every year more than half a million women around the world die from pregnancy-related causes and about 11 million children die, 40 percent of them in the first month of life, according to World Health Organization figures.

Almost all of these deaths are in developing countries, and many of them could be prevented with well-known interventions, if they were more widely available. Figures show that 15 percent of all birthing women experience a life-threatening complication, requiring skilled birth attendants, emergency transportation if needed, and quality emergency obstetric care to overcome.

Yet comprehensive health care for all is simply not available in most of the Latin American and Caribbean Region, and many women are uneducated about simple health, hygiene and nutrition practices for themselves and their families.

While pregnancy-related complications are among the leading causes of death and disability for women aged 15-49 in developing countries, most of these complications could be easily avoided or treated.

In establishing the Millennium Development Goals for 2015, the international community committed to reduce maternal deaths by three quarters, and reduce child mortality by two thirds.

On 7 April 2005, World Health Day and the World Health Report will highlight the invisible health crises which result in the deaths of women having babies, and of young children.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will urge governments, private groups, non-government organizations, communities, and individuals to see World Health Day as an opportunity to recognize that every woman has the right to a safe pregnancy and childbirth, and that children have the right to live healthy lives, to commit to immediate action.

PAHO, which serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their people.