Public Health Agency of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Share this page

Make Every Mother and Child Count - Report on Maternal and Child Health in Canada

Introduction

On April 7 each year the international community celebrates World Health Day, marking the anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 7, 1948. The theme of World Health Day 2005 is healthy mothers and children and the slogan, Make every mother and child count. The objective is to raise awareness and promote action on a set of tragic facts: more than half a million women die from pregnancy-related causes every year; 10.6 million children under 5 also die each year, 40% of them in the first month after birth. Many of these deaths could be prevented with available interventions. It is necessary for us to work together to address this critical situation to save lives and reduce the burden of suffering. Such action will also strengthen societies since healthy mothers and children are the foundation of healthy and prosperous communities and nations.

Table of Contents

  • Key issues
  • Analysis of the Canadian situation
  • Future directions
  • Conclusion
  • Contributors
  • References

Full Report

World Health Day 2005