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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
19:15
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
90.5K
Newborn health: everybody's business
Gary L Darmstadt1, Wolfgang Munar, Sarah K Henry
1a Global Development Division , Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , Seattle , WA , USA.
Global Public Health
|June 24, 2014
Summary
Despite known effective newborn life-saving interventions, progress is insufficient. Prioritizing newborns in developing countries and integrating culturally adapted care within primary health systems is crucial for reducing neonatal mortality.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Global Health
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Despite evidence-based interventions like kangaroo mother care and antenatal corticosteroids, newborn survival rates remain suboptimal.
- A significant burden of neonatal mortality persists, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the urgent need to prioritize newborn survival on the global health agenda.
- To advocate for context-specific and culturally relevant interventions for newborns.
Main Methods:
- This study synthesizes existing evidence on effective newborn survival strategies.
- It emphasizes the importance of integrating interventions within primary healthcare systems.
Main Results:
- Current strategies are falling short of achieving desired impact in newborn survival.
- Effective interventions exist but require better implementation and integration.
Conclusions:
- Newborns must be an integral priority in developing countries to address high neonatal mortality.
- Interventions need local adaptation and integration into the continuum of care via primary health systems.
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