This year, World Health Organization launches a global campaign, titled “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, focused on maternal and newborn health. It’s a powerful opportunity to elevate an issue that impacts families, communities, and generations. 

While maternal health outcomes have improved globally, there’s still work to do. Each day, an estimated 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and 2.4 million newborns die within their first month of life. With the right tools and support, many of these outcomes can be changed. 

At HITLAB, we’re energized by the innovators stepping up to meet this need. Startups like BabyLiveAdvice are expanding access to virtual maternal care, especially for women in underserved and rural communities. Their model provides culturally competent education and real-time support from trained professionals—delivering care in ways that meet women where they are. 

We’re also seeing advances in wearables and AI-powered tools that help monitor both maternal and newborn health. These solutions are already making a difference by supporting early intervention, reducing strain on clinics, and giving families timely information when they need it most. 

As we shine a light on maternal and newborn health, we can also continue building momentum across the broader spectrum of women’s health. From cardiovascular health to mental wellness to autoimmune disease, there’s a growing movement to invest in solutions that reflect women’s needs at every stage of life. 

Healthy beginnings are just the start. With the right focus and innovation, we can create stronger systems that support women—and their families—through every chapter.