Born too soon: accelerating change to 2030 and beyond.

Area of Science:

• Global health
• Maternal and child health
• Public health policy

Background:

• Preterm birth rates have stagnated for a decade, impeding progress on Sustainable Development Goals.
• Significant acceleration in reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality is required to meet 2030 targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the urgent need for action to reduce preterm birth and newborn mortality.
• To outline key strategies for accelerating progress in maternal and newborn survival.

Main Methods:

• The study emphasizes a two-track approach: prevention of preterm birth and high-quality care for vulnerable newborns.
• It advocates for "four pivots": invest, implement, integrate, and innovate, supported by multi-level leadership.

Main Results:

• Implementing these strategies has the potential to save millions of lives and yield substantial socioeconomic returns.
• Addressing threats beyond the health sector, such as conflict and climate crisis, is essential.

Conclusions:

• Accelerating progress requires increased investment in health systems, skilled human resources, and high-impact interventions.
• Successful examples from the United States, India, and the United Republic of Tanzania demonstrate the feasibility of change through data-driven strategies, ambitious investment, and multi-level leadership.