Using the information from your Week 5 Policymaking Charting Assignments and Week 6 Change Agent assignment, create an eight-slide multimedia pre

What Prompted the Attention to Implement Change?

Alarming global health trends and care gaps spurred EWEC policy adjustments. The 2011 mortality of approximately 7 million children under five from avoidable illnesses highlighted the need for comprehensive intervention (World Health Organization, 2022). Another concern was that nearly 2.5 billion people lacked sufficient sanitation, which spread illness and increased child mortality. In 2018, 20% of deliveries in Peru were performed without medical help, placing women and babies at risk (Rodrigo-Gallardo et al., 2023).

These data sparked worldwide action. International institutions and governments sought to end unnecessary mother and child mortality and address health inequities. A multi-sectoral, global approach was also motivated by the increased awareness of how social determinants of health, including poverty, gender inequality, and lack of education, affect health outcomes. The EWEC effort aligned stakeholders and money with human development objectives beyond healthcare.

Why Is the Policy Necessary?

The worldwide policy framework “Every Woman Every Child” (EWEC) was created under the UN Millennium Development Goals and reintroduced in 2016 to align with the SDGs. It aimed to address global health disparities for women, children, and adolescents. This strategy is needed because millions of women and children die each year from avoidable pregnancy, delivery, and lack of basic health care. Despite medical and public health advances, a huge percentage of the world remains underserved, especially in developing nations.

Lack of prenatal care, competent birth attendance, immunizations, sanitation, and health education fosters poverty, poor health, and death. Underfunding, political instability, and insufficient healthcare infrastructures also hinder equity. Pandemics burden healthcare systems; hence, the EWEC strategy offers a focused, coordinated response. It boosts survival rates and advances gender equality, education, and economic stability. Without this endeavor, millions of lives are at stake, and progress in global health equality slows.

Championing Health Equity for Women and Children Worldwide

Relevant Evidence Supporting the Need for Policy

Quantitative and empirical research support the EWEC strategy. In EWEC-supported countries, trained healthcare professionals attended 40% more births between 1996 and 2018 (WHO, 2024). This data shows that the policy can enhance mother health. The continuation of unattended deliveries in many locations shows that much work remains. In 2011, approximately 7 million avoidable child deaths showed the devastating effects of health care inaccessibility (Tessema et al., 2023). Lack of sanitation for 2.5 billion people spreads infectious illnesses, disproportionately impacting children.

The approach is supported by research showing that immunizing 90% of children may eradicate many avoidable illnesses (Unicef, 2023). These data prove that targeted health treatments under EWEC save lives and should be increased. Strong alliances support the policy. Global organizations, including USAID, UNFPA, PAHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and others, worked together to create it. Their combined experience and resources guarantee that the project receives financial and operational backing, boosting the chances of sustainability.

Policy Recommendations from a Professional Perspective

As a public health expert and global health equality advocate, I recommend renewing and expanding the “Every Woman Every Child” campaign to focus on five key areas:

1. Funding Increase: Governments and international organizations must fund EWEC regularly. Foreign aid and coordinated investments improve health care in low- and middle-income countries. Even the finest ideas collapse without enough money.

2. Community Health Worker Integration: Marginalized populations benefit from community health professionals learning grassroots health remedies. EWEC must work and be codified for wider, culturally acceptable healthcare coverage.

3. The Expansion of Education Programs: Safe childbirth, maternal health literacy, and newborn care education are essential. Knowledge empowers women, enhancing family health and emergency care.

4. Data Infrastructure Improvements: Lack of timely, trustworthy data complicates health disparities assessment. Data, mobile reporting, and regional health registries help identify gaps and measure progress.

5. Accountability Measures: Standards and reporting for EWEC states may boost transparency and progress. Public peer reviews and progress reports should include birth attendance, immunization coverage, and maternal death.

References

Rodrigo-Gallardo, P. K., Caira-Chuquineyra, B., Fernández-Guzman, D., Urrunaga-Pastor, D., Alejandro-Salinas, R., Vasquez-Chavesta, A. Z., & Toro-Huamanchumo, C. J. (2023). Determinants of non-institutional childbirth: Evidence from the Peruvian demographic and health survey. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X, 100250–100250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100250

Tessema, G. A., Berheto, T. M., Pereira, G., Misganaw, A., & Kinfu, Y. (2023). National and subnational burden of under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality in Ethiopia, 1990–2019: Findings from the global burden of disease study 2019. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(6), e0001471–e0001471. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001471

Unicef. (2023). Vaccination and immunization statistics – UNICEF data. UNICEF DATA. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/immunization/

WHO. (2024). Every woman every child: Report 2. strengthening equity and dignity through health.

World Health Organization. (2022). Child mortality (under 5 years). Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-mortality-under-5-years