Recorded presentation

Gary Darmstadt, MD, Save the Children, 444 NE Ravenna Blvd., Suite 301F, Seattle, WA 98115-6467, 206-525-3292, gdarms@dc.savechildren.org

While the overall health of children has improved around the world, the death rate of newborns — babies less than one month old — has hardly changed; in some countries it has even increased. This presentation will present findings from a comprehensive review of evidence on the impact of newborn health interventions in less developed countries and offer compelling support for using research as a tool for identifying the most effective measures for saving newborn lives.

The review assessed interventions to prevent stillbirths and improve newborn health and survival during the period before birth (antenatal), during delivery (intrapartum), and after childbirth (postnatal). Because most newborns who die do so at home during the first week of life without any contact with a health care provider, the review focused on programs in communities with limited access to hospitals or other health care facilities. The review also assessed public health programs and interventions already in place, recommendations from WHO and other expert institutions and individuals, biological plausibility, and evidence from developed-country studies.

Learning Objectives:

• To present findings from a comprehensive review of evidence on the impact of newborn health interventions and to make recommendations about how to improve newborn health at the community level.

Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, International Health

Related Web page: www.savethechildren.org/newborns/index.asp

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Saving Newborn Lives initiative
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation