On Maternal Health Awareness Day we are reminded that preventable maternal deaths and  complications are unacceptably common and that up to 80% are preventable. 

Strengthening maternal health is one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes for newborns and children. From preventing complications in pregnancy to improving outcomes for the world’s youngest children, Cochrane’s work reflects the urgency of the global health disparities that still persist today.

Why focus on maternal, newborn, and child health?

Globally, maternal deaths, newborn deaths, and under five mortality remain unacceptably high, with the vast majority being largely preventable and occurring in low- and middle-income countries. 

These stark realities highlight not only a global health crisis but also profound inequities. By synthesizing robust evidence and making it accessible to clinicians, policymakers, and communities worldwide, we help ensure that care decisions are grounded in what works and what does not. But evidence alone is not enough – it must be timely, relevant, and responsive to the needs of those who need it most.

What Cochrane has achieved

Over decades, Cochrane has played a pivotal role in shaping evidence that underpins global guidelines, clinical practice, and health policy in maternal, newborn, and child health. To date, hundreds of Cochrane reviews have informed World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations in this area, helping guide interventions from antenatal to neonatal and postpartum care.

For example, a recent Cochrane review confirmed that giving a simple, inexpensive magnesium sulphate infusion to women at risk of premature birth can significantly reduce the chance that their babies develop cerebral palsy, highlighting an evidence-based intervention that could be implemented more equitably around the world. In addition, Cochrane reviews have directly informed updated WHO guidelines on the care of preterm infants, including evidence on interventions such as caffeine therapy to support lung function and improve survival and long-term outcomes.

Building on this foundation, Cochrane’s scientific strategy 2025 to 2030 prioritizes maternal, newborn, and child health as one of four key research areas where trusted evidence can have transformative impact. This strategic focus reflects not only the scale of the global maternal and child health burden but also the promise that evidence can make a measurable difference in reducing mortality and inequity.

Moving evidence into action

Our plans include:

• Bringing trustworthy  evidence to inform practice, policy, and research on the major causes of maternal, neonatal and child illness and death such as hypertensive disorders, infections, and complications of preterm birth
• Collaborating with global and national partners to produce and disseminate timely evidence that informs urgent policy and guideline updates
• Supporting evidence synthesis capacity globally particularly in low- and middle-income settings where health inequities are most acute

To realize this ambitious agenda, Cochrane’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Thematic Group is working to ensure we remain relevant, representative, and sustainable in this ever-changing evidence ecosystem. 

We are proud to have supported the consolidated WHO postpartum haemorrhage guidelines launched in October 2025, helping inform recommendations on the prevention and management of one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide.

Alongside this, our teams are actively contributing to the upcoming WHO guideline on hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, addressing the growing global burden of diabetes in pregnancy and its impact on mothers and babies. This work is being done in collaboration with the Evidence Synthesis Units from Germany, Iberoamerica, and India. We are also supporting the WHO guideline on caesarean section, a critical area as rates continue to rise globally. Together, these achievements reflect the strength of our global community, the dedication of our author teams, and the real-world impact of trusted evidence in maternal health.

Looking forward 

This year also marks the launch of our new Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Grand Rounds, a recurring series designed to bring our global community together around priority topics chosen by our community. Our inaugural Grand Rounds, held in honour of International Women and Girls in Science Day, will spotlight women’s leadership and the power of curiosity and global collaboration in shaping the future of research. Join in on 11 February at 13:30 GMT. Please register here if you would like to take part. 

On this Maternal Health Awareness Day, we remain committed to a future where every mother, every child, everywhere has access to care informed by the best available evidence regardless of geography or circumstance. At Cochrane, we know evidence alone does not save lives. We invite you to join us whether as a reviewer, policymaker, clinician, patient, or advocate. Together, we can transform data into decisions that matter.

Trusted evidence. Informed decisions. Better health for mothers, newborns, and children.

Get involved with the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Thematic Group