The interconnections between maternal and newborn health – evidence and implications for policy

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed increasing global attention and political support for maternal, newborn and child health. Despite this increased attention, actual progress has been slow and sporadic: coverage of key maternal and newborn health interventions remains low and there are wide disparities in access to care, within and across countries. Strategies for improving maternal and newborn health are closely linked, and can be delivered most effectively through a continuum of care approach. While these interventions are largely known, there is little information on which interventions have a positive health impact for both women and newborns. This supplement identifies the interventions during the preconception, pregnancy, intrapartum and postnatal periods found to have a positive, synergistic effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes. These interventions are then grouped into packages of care for delivery at the community, health center or hospital levels.

• Continuum of care
• integration
• maternal health
• newborn health

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Editors of the Supplement (Gary Darmstadt, France Donnay, and Ann Starrs) for their careful review and valuable comments. Special thanks also goes to Family Care International staff, in particular Hilary Lawton, who provided editorial support and assistance.