World Health Day to focus on children and mothers

Manuela Moraru, Seville

This year's World Health Day, on 7 April 2005, will be dedicated to the health of children and mothers. The World Health Organization will organise the day to raise awareness of the often overlooked health issues that affect pregnant women and children. The global event for World Health Day 2005 will take place in New Delhi, India, at which debates and speeches from WHO representatives and prominent guests are scheduled.

Each year more than half a million women die from causes related to pregnancy, and 10.6 million children die, 40% in the first month of life. Under the slogan "make every mother and child count," a variety of events will be organised around the world. These will include awareness campaigns for healthy pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care; exhibitions of photographs and art; conferences, training, and seminars; and project presentations, such as poster and art competitions. A total of 25 countries on five continents have already announced their official involvement.

To mark the event, the World Health Report 2005 will be launched on the day, focusing this year for the first time on child and maternal health. Its aim is to "highlight the invisible health crisis which result in the deaths of women having babies, and of young children," stated Lee Jong-wook, director general of WHO.

WHO



studentBMJ 2005;13:133-176 April ISSN 0966-6494