Infected travelers reveal Cuba’s ‘hidden’ Zika outbreak

Science HNN Team

This article was originally published in Science here. By Jon Cohen As Zika virus raced through the Americas and the Caribbean in 2015 and 2016, it infected an estimated 800,000 people and left nearly 4000 newborns with serious brain damage. But by mid-2017, the virus had all but disappeared from the region—or so it seemed. … Continued

Birth defects registries expanding in Latin America

PAHO/WHO HNN Team

This article was originally published by PAHO here. Twelve Latin American countries already monitor children who are born with congenital birth defects in order to better understand why and how often they occur, and how the survival and quality of life of these children can be improved. Birth defects are the second leading cause of … Continued

Most Pregnancies Last 9 Months. Why Is the Deadliness of Childbirth Still Taking Us by Surprise?

Global Citizen Ethiopia, Haiti, Philippines, Liberia HNN Team

Vaccines help to dramatically reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. Article by Anuradha Gupta, Deputy CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Measles, cholera, and diphtheria can kill quickly and without any warning. Yet with childbirth we get nine months’ notice, and it still kills more people every year than these three diseases combined. It’s not just … Continued

‘We have a shower for pain relief’: can Haiti’s young midwives save a new generation?

The Guardian Haiti HNN Team

Sylvie Delice was born on a hot, slow March afternoon in a clinic in Marigot, a coastal town in south Haiti. The labour was seven hours; her mother, Natalie, 24, a seamstress, was stoic throughout, helped by two midwives in pale pink scrubs. Sylvie arrived strong and healthy, and was named after her mother’s cousin. … Continued

Breastfeeding a matter of human rights, say UN experts, urging action on formula milk

UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights HNN Team

Breastfeeding is a human rights issue for babies and mothers and should be protected and promoted for the benefit of both, a group of United Nations experts says in a statement* made public today. States should take urgent action to stop the “misleading, aggressive and inappropriate” marketing of breast-milk substitutes in a multi-billion-dollar global industry.

Zika virus disease: Questions and answers

Zika virus occurs in tropical areas with large mosquito populations, and is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia and Western Pacific.

Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference in Mexico delivers on all counts!

Overall the Global Maternal and Newborn Health (GMNHC) delivered on all counts of a great meeting.

Are we winning against maternal and infant mortality?

Researchers, activists, officials and journalists gather in Mexico City to discuss healthcare for mothers and infants.

Want to save 3 million lives? Improve quality of care at birth

This World Breastfeeding Week, we celebrate the health interventions that has the greatest potential impact on child survival – and doesn’t cost a dime.

A pledge to action on congenital disorders

Tanzania, United Republic of HNN Team

Close to 300 participants from 37 countries attended The 7th International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World (ICBD) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from September 21-24, 2015.